We Have a Winnah!

Congratulations to April of Mommy's Fit for the King - the winner of the Champion gear!  Please e-mail me with your address and what sizes you need, April!  zoe@runzoerun.com.

 

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway!  231 entries!  Sweetness! 

This is your Captain speaking...

I completely ran on autopilot today, almost like my brain/head was just along for the ride and my legs just moved. But at least I got the run in and it started pouring rain after I finished. Win. :)

Remember how I had that behind-the-knee pain earlier this month and last? Well, apparently my improved sitting posture at work is helping! No more knee on the chair for me (but man, it's difficult!). I've caught myself mid-adjustment and stopped. If it helps, then I guess I should obey it, right?  But when it does hurt, I'm the epsom salt soak and Salonpas patch Queen.

By the way, have I mentioned how much I love my blog friends?  I mean, I really really do.  All of you are completely amazing and I'm a lucky gal to have you around.  So what if I want to be a little sappy every now and then.  "Whatever, whatever, I do what I want!" 
For example, Melissa held a Love Your Neighbor Valentine's Day Swap and I received the cutest, red and sparkly card from Megan at Living in Luling and an awesome Mardi Gras inspired t-shirt!  Love love love!  (P.s. Go wish Megan luck for her RnR Mardi Gras Half coming up!)

Thank you Megan!

Yes, I cut off my head in the pic.  I just got back from a run and look less than stellar.  Coupled with a not-so-great hair day.  Blah. 

There's still time to enter my Champion giveaway!  You have until tomorrow night. For those dudes out there, another 'Dude is giving away some Champion gear that doesn't require boobs...check out RunnerDude's Contest.

RE: Honkers

No no no.  Not those honkers.  I'm talking about motorists that honk at runners while they're, well, running.  Geez!  At least I got your attention, right?  Excellent. 

Yesterday I encountered not one, but two kinds of honkers.  Normally I can deal with the people that give the horn a little tap-tap, you know?  But I was just minding my business on the huge sidewalk and this dude just flippin' lays on the horn: HOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNKKKKKK!

WTH?!?

I nearly jumped out of my shoes, it startled me so much.  So, I did what any normal/civil/lady would do in this situation...I flipped him off.  ;)  The jerk deserved it.  It's not a usual habit to do that with my middle finger, I usually blow kisses at the person because it says "you need this buddy, because I'm better than you!"  The blowing kisses was my Grammy's thing because she never used the finger.  She was a sassy gal.  Anyway, it happened again on my second jaunt around the block, but this time with a motorcyclist.  THAT was laughable.  Have you ever heard a motorcycle's horn?  It's completely ridiculous and puny.  Might as well been a scooter, but nope, this was a sport bike.  *sigh*  That time around it just made me laugh and shake my head.

Other than the honkers on last night's run I had a blast.  My Newtons felt amazing and I ran some really tough hills in the neighborhood with *gasp* ease!!  I swear the Newtons are going to be the death of my wallet; I'm hooked.  I turn into some sort of superhero with those things on.  No joke.  My leisurely run turned into 5 miles.  I'll take that!

Some pics from the run:

My tree in the front yard. It's confused because it's sunny/warm in February. 

Mt. Rainier peeking over the houses--yay!

And none of my runs would be complete without the dreaded Nekkid Semi spotting. I think they are stalking me now...

Before my run I enjoyed the sun with Travis and hit some softballs.  I completely crushed my last pitch at bat...first time I've hit one clear to the outfield without rolling!  And the bat made that wonderful crack sound.  Loved it!

Then I washed my purdy blue 'stang.  She's all sparkly now.  My little pony. :)

Tonight's workout consisted of some crazy treadmill sprinting!  I was on fire in my Lunars!  Fastest/longest sprint was 45 seconds at 9.1 mph (6:36 pace!?). 

And...I'm spent.  G'night all!

Sun Running

Apparently the NW stole the sunshine from LA for the weekend, and I milked it for all its worth. ;)

Yesterday was the usual long run with Mel on the trail, but this time Emily was in town and joined us!  We planned on 15 miles with seven at BQ pace and the rest at normal pace.  Um, Emily has already qualified for Boston on multiple occasions--she is a complete rockstar--so perhaps I was a wee bit intimidated?

The weather called for sunshine, but cold temps (for us, anyway) at around 28 degrees in the AM and up to 57 in the afternoon.  What in the world was I to wear?  I felt like it was my first day of school and I was mad-dashing around the room looking for something that was both cute and warm. *sigh*  I settled for a mismash of stuff and felt like a running hobo.  Oh well, win some lose some.

The run started out pretty good...we were chatting and keeping a nice pace...but then it was time for the 8:20 pace and I just blew it.  I felt like I couldn't get in a good breath, and I had to bust out the inhaler a couple times (more than usual).  GAH!  I really felt like I was holding back Emily and Mel, so I told them to run ahead and not worry about me.  Turns out I think I just needed a solo run with some loud tunes blasting in my ear.  :-/  The girls were seriously on fire, and I just didn't want them to be slowed down by my cement feet.  But, I did keep an alright pace and felt so much better at the halfway point.  I spotted Sam on a faraway tree branch---that made me happy! Oh, and there were a TON of runners/walkers/bikers on the trail, which was awesome!

Emily was kind enough to take some pics!  Thank you, Emily!

Me (the caboose) coming into the "finish" with Mt. Rainier behind me!

 

Stunnahs!  Emily, Mel and myself (I think I look like a pirate)

We were starving and picked a little restaurant that was across the street from the park.  Hmmm, no expectations going in, but it turned out to be a fantastic choice.  The waiter dude immediately convinced us that even though it was only 10:30 that breakfast was no longer being served and that he didn't know if the creamer was expired.  Um....ok?  Sarcasm!  Ah yes!  His name was Jason and the rest of the meal was a mini comedy show--we were laughing so much.  Janna (the "Lioness") was so cute because she ordered something off the menu and told the waiter it was "Number 11"...oh Janna, hun, that's the price!  I was giggly the entire time.  The best was the photo op with Janna, Emily and their really cool teapots...Janna left hers sitting on her teacup and it overflowed (despite Jason's instructions)...oh boy!  More laughter!

 

Emily demonstrating the correct way

Aftermath of Janna's teapot malfunction

Breakfast was delicious though!  I opted for the french toast with homemade bread, and the girls got scrambles and toast.  Oh goodness, it was heavenly after the long run. :)  We chatted and laughed for quite some time after our food was gone, but Jason was cool and didn't mind (his family owns the place). 

 

It was so much fun meeting Emily, and I'm in awe that she was running the Birch Bay Marathon today!  Mel and I dubbed it her Washington Goofy Challenge Plus 2. She's a total rockstar.  :)  

Thank you for such a great run, ladies!  I'm sorry I couldn't keep up in the beginning. :P

Loving the Sunshine

Thank you to Sarah and Tonia for the sweet little Sunshine Award.  It's nice to see all these blogs with the cute orange flower! 

I want every single person that has ever just visited my little running blog to receive this piece of sunshine.  You all rock! :)

Speaking of the sun, it's out today.  In Seattle?  In February?  Ah yes.  But, I'm not running.  Running and I have had a little "off" week...and so I'm giving him some space.  Tomorrow though, it's 15 miles with Mel and Emily! 
Happy Friday, peeps!  And don't forget to enter my Champion giveaway for some awesome swag.

The Unexpected

Today's run did not go as planned.  I was itching to run in my Newtons outside because A) it was completely gorgeous/sunny/warmer out and B) I really wanted to get some more miles in the Newtons.  Plus, we got home from work at an earlier time, so that meant more daylight. Score!

Got all geared up (wearing shorts and a long-sleeved tee!!), grabbed Gus* and headed out.  Legs felt fantastic, my lungs not so much.  Why do I feel like there's an elephant sitting on my chest?  Allergies?  I took a puff from my inhaler before, so I thought I could breathe ok.  Guess not.  There was some serious air suckage at the top of the big hill next to my house.  Oh great.  (Strike 1)

Found my stride after the hill, got to the 1/2 mile mark and *GASP*CHOKE*COUGH* I swallow a bug.  Or inhaled a bug is more like it.  I proceed to cough & hack on the side of the road trying to catch my breath and finally I get the bug out of my throat.  Owie!  Gross!!!  Now, normally I don't spit during a run unless it's called for, especially since I'm not really good at it (lame, I know), but man I was making sure I didn't have any leftover bug parts in my mouth. The neighbors probably got a good laugh.  The bug, well, he took one for the team. RIP (Strike 2)

Kept on the usual route and I get a phone call. Crap.  Of course I have to have my iPhone with me because it's my source of music, and I had to answer the call.  Apparently it'll cost 50 bucks to fix my favorite blue purse (nooooooo!)...so I opted out of the repair and am considering superglue. (Strike 2.5)

The final half-strike was my chest. Seriously WTH?  It hurt to take in a good breath. Stupid chest elephant.  So I called it a day and headed back home. (Strike 3)

I ran a total of 1.36 miles in 11:36. How in the world did I have an 8:31 pace??? The bug attack took a little while and I didn't stop Gus. Weird.  Oh well.

ON THE PLUS SIDE...I got an unexpected package left on my doorstep.  It was from Katye, and it contained this:

A puffer fish!  Oh my goodness, you have no idea how thoughtful and amazing this gift was!  Katye found this while gift searching for her goddaughter on Amazon and thought of my story about my mum in the hospital and the puffer fish I loved.  Of course this touched my heart and made me cry.  

Thank you so much, Katye.  You are amazing and this totally made my day!

Also, I received a really great compliment at work regarding a customer service experience I had yesterday...so that made it a great day too. Yay!

Sometimes the unexpected isn't that bad after all.  :)

*For those of you who are new to my blog (hi there!), Gus is my Garmin (not my running buddy or hubby...haha!).

A Giveaway! Hurray!

And now, a wickedly awesome giveaway hosted by....drumroll, please....

Remember how I raved over the softness of this shirt?  (Like buttah.) Well here's your chance to experience this top firsthand...

But of course, I'm not done yet.  Champion is throwing in a pair of black Double Dry workout pants and a black running jacket into the mix.  Yes folks, a complete outfit is up for grabs here!  So if you did not win Beth's (aka Shut Up and Run!) Champion loot, then here's your second chance!

The following can be yours:
- Purple Double Dry Seamless Top (size M/L)
- Black Double Dry Fitted (w/ flare) workout pants - either M or L
- Black Double Dry Running Jacket (runs small) - either S, M or L

Just an FYI to the guys...these pieces are all of the female variety, but you can win them too if you'd like (or to surprise a lady in your life).  Up to you. (This ensemble can be the beginning of your transformation into a ninja running bandit like me.  Woot!)

Here's the scoop on how to win:
(1 comment = 1 entry) 

"Required" entry: 
Visit the Champion site and tell me what product tickles your fancy (1 entry)

Additional entries:

•  Become a follower and let me know in a comment (1 entry)
• Link this giveaway on your blog, Twitter (include @RunZoeRun), or Facebook.  Let me know in a comment (1 entry each, 3 possible)
• Answer in a comment: What makes you a feel like a champion? (1 entry)

That's a total of 6 possible entries...
The giveaway will end next Thursday 2/25, winners announced on Friday the 26th.  Champion will ship the merchandise directly to the winner. :)

**Note: Product in giveaway provided courtesy of Champion. The review is my own.**