Running Hot

Yesterday, I went running with a friend from high school on a trail around her neighborhood. She's in terrific shape and she knows how to keep someone running when they really just want to walk (or lie down on the ground and cry), so with her help, I ran a 5k!

It took us 38 minutes in 77 degree weather, which is faster than my last official 5k with extreme(ish) weather as an obstacle. Hey, I'm from the Bay Area, we don't do this hot nonsense! It was definitely hard, but I think I ran about 90% of the trail, including hills. Needless to say I looked like a hot mess afterward and my face was red for about an hour and several bottles of water later.

Like this, but gross.

It made me realize that I need to prepare myself to run in all kinds of environments, because how frustrating would it be to put in so much training, but then be affected by something out of your control? Active.com had some great tips, and I'm going to try to incorporate these into my training for summer.

According to Active, it can take two weeks for a body to adjust to running in hotter weather. While adjusting, the goal should be to improve your tolerance for heat rather than time. For someone who is working with the Couch to 5k program, I feel like this advice fits in perfectly. I'm challenging my body to do something new a little bit at a time, much like an experienced runner adjusts to a hotter season. For my next outdoor run, I'm going to try sticking with the  program and seeing how I feel. My other favorite tip was to run in circles and and hide goodies (like ice-filled bandanas and ice pops) at a stop along your route! I'm not sure how practical this is where I live, but maybe laps around Starbucks would be an okay substitute?

Hey there, beautifuls.

Castaway Cay Challenge and Bomb Girls

I'm taking it a little slow in my training for this week, but I'm still working! I've started watching Bomb Girls on Netflix while I run (or walk... but I use the incline!) and I'm addicted. I accidentally binge watched the first season, but I'm trying to pace myself starting season two. There are only two seasons on Netflix and I'm a little afraid to Google it in case of spoilers. One of the actors was on Orphan Black recently though, so I'm afraid there might just be the two. I'm in love with the retro style of this show, and taking it slow this week has made me realize what a serious case of hair envy I have.

The show is about women of different backgrounds working in a munitions factory in Canada during World War II. Gladys, top left, is a grocery heiress who feels the need to provide more than just office support for the war effort. Kate, on the right, is starting a new life working in the factory on the run from her past. Lorna, on the bottom left, is in charge of the ladies on the line and her story is just starting to get scandalous. Then there's Betty, who is awesome. Season one didn't end well for her, but I believe in Betty. YOU GO GIRL, YOU BUY YOURSELF A HOUSE! 

Oh, right... headphones.

Anyway, back to the races.

Registration for the Castaway Cay Challenge opened today at noon. From the website;

 "The all-new Disney Castaway Cay Challenge is an ultimate running adventure, combining one magical 5K event or longer during the 2015 Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend (February 19 - 22, 2015) with a Castaway Cay 5K on Disney Cruise Lines' private tropical island in the Bahamas the following week." 

It's an interesting idea, but a four-night cruise plus $65 registration in addition to the half marathon is just a little much in terms of expenses. I'll be skipping it, but the part of me that wants to collect everything is filing it away for later. Like when I win the lottery. From what I can tell, the new challenge differs from the Castaway 5k offered before this year in a few ways. From the registration page, it appears that this year this will be a timed event rather than a fun run, with the 16 minutes per mile rule in effect. It also appears that participants will be entitled to special perks on board the cruise. I'm interested to see how this turns out!

Registered!

I am back from Seattle and officially signed up for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in Disneyworld! It's a big jump to go from 5ks to a half marathon, but I loved my last Run Disney event so much that I've been wanting to do another one. When my cousin mentioned she wanted to do this run, I was already considering the Tinkerbell Half as it now lands on my birthday weekend. I wanted to try something new though, so I'm getting excited to run like a Princess! My cousin Amanda and I have always been pretty close despite living on opposite sides of the country, and it's been years since our last trip to Disneyworld. I'm more than excited to see if Disneyworld is as amazing as I remember, but I'm trying to get excited for the run too.

I'm sure the tutus help.

I'm currently on week 2 of the Couch to 5k Plan, and so far I'm feeling good. Well, I'm not dying which is good. On my last run, I walked five minutes and then ran for five minutes for half an hour. Sounds easy like that, no? By the last running cycle I was kicking myself for thinking this would be a breeze! I have a few tricks to make it more bearable that I'll share with my next workout!

Long time, no see?

Soooooo I'm not dead.

And! I'm still running.

I was on hiatus from running and this blog for a while due to sickness, business and an up in the air work schedule. It's been a long ride on the hot mess express, but I've just restarted the Couch Potato to 5k plan and having a training schedule has brought me some much needed peace. It's also made me worried that I have been body snatched by the most considerate aliens ever. They just want me to be healthy before they eat my brain.

And they're cute! Thanks brainslug!

I've also been doing some thinking about my runs. I am still determined to run a 5k in every state, but doing more runs along the way will keep me in better shape overall, and I'll be able to be a little more choosy about which 5ks I do.

My next concrete goal (as in I register next week) is the Disney Princess Half Marathon. "But Eryn", someone responsible is probably saying, "how are you going from too lazy to write about running to running 13.1 miles?" And I would respond first by saying, hush you voice of reason I wasn't done. Secondly, have you seen the outfits? Even if I'm not flying through this race, I'll be falling with style.

I have a theme and I'm going with it.

As I was saying before I so rudely interrupted myself, I'm planning on running a 10k before December first in order to submit a qualifying time for the half marathon. My current goal is to not be in the last corral, though I may be able to amend that once registration opens and I can learn more.

I'm investigating options for a 5k to squeeze in before then, just to keep myself focused. After reconnecting with a high school friend (who is a marine!) I have experimented with running outside, and determined that while I have a long way to go, it's definitely easier with a friend. But, as she is not always available and Planet Fitness has beautiful air conditioning, I will also need recommendations for more shows to Netflix!

Look forward to more updates and Disney fan-girling!