Run NanaCyn Run: 2013

Friday, December 6, 2013

More Gift Ideas

I came across two web sites this week than offer some great gift ideas you might want to consider for your favorite runner, cyclist, or triathlete! Lift Your Sole has jewelry, shirts, charms and some other cute stuff. Pace Bands is just a novel idea for distance runners. According to their website, "The bands include a target finish time for each distance (marathon, half marathon, etc.) and individual splits for each distance marker so athletes know what their cumulative time should be when they reach a certain number of miles or kilometers."

I know I keep a post it note on my treadmill with my target time for distance marker and out on the road, I just hope for the best! I want one of these for my half training! I have to admit, I only dream about a 2 hour half finish like the above band, I'm training for a 3 hour finish, HA!

Also, I am not affiliated with either of these companies, I am just sharing some of my finds on the web!

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 18, 2013

Monday's Motivation

Why do you lace up?

I began lacing up to get fit. I made a bet with myself that I could run to the end of the road, I did. Then I ran around the corner. And then to the next driveway. One day at a time, one step at a time. I went from casual runner to taking it and myself a little more seriously because a day without lacing up sucks. I mean really sucks. I lace up because

I love the solitude when I run, I definitely like running solo

I love to have the time to think

I love being healthy

I can plot out a scene in the novel I'm writing

I can improve my focus

I like to compete with myself, "yes, I can make it to the next light"

I enjoy the conversations I have with myself

I can work through a problem, a feeling, an issue

I rehearse a conversation I need to have

I love the healthy glow my skin has after a run

I love the shape my legs have become

etc etc etc

Now why do you lace up?

Friday, November 15, 2013

Which article should go viral?

I've watched with interest the reaction the running world has had to this article published in the opinion section of the Wall Street Journal. I think every running blog, every Facebook page devoted to running, and every running magazine has responded to the guys opinion. People are calling him hateful and angry, they are assuming he is lonely and without friends. Some posts are downright humorous but for the most part, they are people who have gotten their panties in a twist over one person's opinion of runners and running. I think it was written tongue in cheek and while it poked fun at runners (and yes, I am a runner), I didn't get offended nor did I find the article hateful. I even chuckled at some of his words.

I like to see the stickers on cars, I proudly wear my event shirts, I give thumbs up to other runners, I refuse to wear non-matching running gear, and I love hearing about the hard earned accomplishments of others. Yes, you hear me gush over "my daughter flying to Paris ALONE to run the Marathon de France". I encourage, support and cheer lead for newbies and oldies, and yes, I cried over the bombing at the Boston Marathon. I am proud to be a citizen of the world of running and understand that not every alien understands my world. I am proud to train, I love the sweat, the tears, the triumphs. I post my runs on Facebook and I share my accomplishments and failures with friends and family. It holds me accountable to the one person I run for, me.

So my friends, if you are upset over this guys 'Opinion', then do not provide him airtime. If you can not see the humor or you can not see yourself in his words, don't make his article go viral. Instead, please write, scream, post, share, and publish THIS article. This one shares my vision of what runners are and what we do.

Sunday, November 10, 2013

It's Christmas Time, What will your Runner find under the tree?

It's that time of year again. Requests go out to spouses, children, friends, and family for "idea's for Christmas". We also do Christmas stockings so ideas for those are a must too. I don't like to only give needed stuff, I like the fun, the creative, the off the wall giggle factor in gifts. If you're like me and my husband, when we see something we like or want, we buy it. Nice for us, terrible for those who seek to gift us with something we would love! Every running website (and every running magazine) lists their gift lists at this time of year but I'm going to give some other options.

A Garmin would make it to my top ten Christmas presents. While I have the Forerunner 10, a multisport like Forerunner310XT would be sweet! Yum! But again, know your runner and their preferences!

Would I want running gear for Christmas? Absolutely, but I'm picky. So make sure you know who you are buying for. And never ever buy cotton. Ouch. I have my favorite socks and they are always a good bet, I would love to find some in my stocking!

Compression Socks

Running Socks

Just Fun Socks

Who else wouldn't love to see a sampling of gels, protein bars, and drink packets under the tree? Or the first issue of your runners new magazine subscription!? There are inspiration gifts to be found too. I wear a beautiful bracelet from InspireByTrina . She offers items such as this beauty!

Training journals are important for all levels of runners and with the Believe I Am Journal from Lauren Fleshman and Roisin McGettigan’s company, Believe I Am, journaling has never been so interactive and useful.

There are always fuel belts, water bottles, massage gadgets, foam rollers, be creative! There are protein powders, iTunes gift cards, ear buds, and shoes laces.

The Gifted Runner offers some hip and funny gifts; several made me chuckle out loud! Of course, Café Press offers some creative gifts!

WeLoveRunners has some nice things too. In fact, I think I'm going to order this shirt for my grand daughter!

I also found several places that sell coasters made with your race bibs, a creative idea. Sure beats stuffing them in drawers or in a scrapbook.

Some cool medal holders can be found on Etsy, like this one

and then there are decals, and license plate holders, and lots of fun stuff!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

What an Inspiration

I love how this lady lived and how this lady died, so much dignity. I think I will find a cool picture of her, frame it, and keep it on my desk so she can continue to inspire me.

Rest in Peace, Joy Johnson. May your running shoes match your halo and wings!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Do I like Purple?

I guess I will admit that I like running clothes and shoes. My clothes are not all purple but they probably would be if I could find them. I have posted before about treating myself when I reach a goal and it is always something to wear while running or working out.

I'm reading a new book I bought on Amazon called Run Less Run Faster and it's really no different that most training plans. I will finish reading it and then incorporate what works for me. So far, it makes a lot of sense though. I'm anxious to get to the cross training sections and see if they offer any new ideas!.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Monday's Motivation

I woke up with a headache today, probably not enough water over the weekend and I sat on the fence whether I should run or not. I wanted to run but I feared making the pain in my head worse. Desire won, I laced up the Newton's and got my run on. Not only did the pain not worsen, it actually got better. Loving the endorphins!

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”

-Dr. Seuss

Friday, October 18, 2013

Friday, December 6, 2013

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Monday, November 18, 2013

Friday, November 15, 2013

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Monday, October 28, 2013

Friday, October 18, 2013

Via Buzzfeed.com, this cracked me up this morning

So you woke up one morning feeling fat and lazy and thought, this is the year everything changes.

I should do something meaningful and impressive with my life.

…something that people will cheer for.

Like a marathon! You’ve been for a few jogs that weren’t so bad.

Your friends seemed a little skeptical but that just made you more determined.

But you didn’t know then what you know now. Like the fact that you have to actually train?

And it’s a lot of training. Like, hours of your life. Spent Running.

Just running.

Good, old fashioned running. With no destination or purpose.

During your long runs, you start to day dream about what you could be doing with your time. You probably could have learned to code… or gone to law school…. or learned Mandarin.

You start to realize just how much time you are wasting. 35 miles a week x 16 weeks x 10 minutes per mile = 5,600 minutes of your life gone. JUST GONE.

But at least you’re getting in shape. That’s why you got into this in the first place!

Except that you are ravenous all the time so you’re not actually getting in shape.

You’re like really, ridiculously hungry. And you start to wonder why people aren’t down for bloomin’ onions on the reg.

Your runner friends told you you would get a runner’s high from all the endorphins!

But all you can think is, when can I actually get high?

You’re supposed to stay in on the weekend and prepare for your big runs which seems reasonable enough.

But FOMO has always been your greatest weakness

So you go out and deal with the consequences the next day.

Your whole body is in excruciating pain pretty much 100% of the time

You start to realize this probably isn’t even that good for you.

So you do some research only to find out that the first person to ever run a marathon died shortly thereafter. Yeah, DIED.

And it’s then that you realize you should NEVER have agreed to do this

It was a really terrible idea.

But you can’t back out now because you’re not a quitter, goddamnit! And also you told everyone you were doing it.

So you suck it up. You dust yourself off and you listen to your marathon playlist for the 156th time. And you pretend like everything isn’t awful.

Because after all, it just takes a few hundred hours of training and some body glide and you’ll be a marathoner in no time.

And most importantly, you will have bragging rights for life.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Friday, October 4, 2013