Reaching My Goal

This morning I got up at 4 am to get ready to go run with R.   Last night I also  talked to Steph  and she was going to meet us at In Training and run with us.  I was  so excited, I'm  always thinking the more runners the merrier it is.   I got to In Training and turned my phone on so I would be ready when R and Steph got there.  I always run with my phone now days, remember I'm a scaredy cat of the dark. There was a message from R saying she was not running this morning.  Her mother in law had fallen down the stairs on Friday and was in the hospital.  Her mother in law had surgery on sat and was on  a ventilator.   I texted R, this morning and she said they took her off the ventilator. I haven't heard anymore since this morning.  Keeping them in my prayers. 

REACHING MY GOAL


When I was putting my workout on Daily Mile I notice I had  reached my goal of running  a 1000 miles  so far this year. YAHOO.  I'm  still having a hard time believing that I actually have ran that many miles.   If you would of new me in my younger days, you would not believe it either.  I was more of a couch potato, than a runner.  

Their are days I  still don't want to run or it is to cold to run, but I absolutely love the way I feel after a run.  I feel like I could conquer the world.  I also love getting into those tight fitting jeans in my closet.

Last year this time I really wasn't feeling  like running, it was getting colder and I was getting lazier.  My running partner didn't want to run in the cold either, so that made it even harder.   I did  however  do the treadmill and DVDs, but I wasn't consistent with either.   By the end of the year I wasn't liking myself at all.   I was allowing  myself to get into a rut and with each passing day it was getting harder to get out of that rut.  I continued to struggle with  my weight all summer.  That is until I decided to commit to doing  my second marathon. I was hoping that by committing to another marathon  I would get my weight under control again.  It did help me get more focused on what I needed to do to run and finish this marathon.

Just before the marathon in October of this year, a lady from church decided not to rejoin the YMCA, because they were charging more to do the extra classes.  Believe me when she told me that she was going to start working out at In Training, I was ecstatic about  it.  Just maybe I might have a new running partner. I was not looking forward to go into the winter months not having someone to run outside with me.

So far so good. We are still running together and we are doing it outside in the cold weather. I can't believe  I'm saying this, but I'm  loving it even when it is cold and windy outside.  I feel so much  stronger and more focused on what I want to accomplish this winter. 


How do you handle the winter months when it comes to running outside?

 Do you ever just want to become a couch potato for just a little while?


  Don't forget to enter my CLICK Espesso Protein Shake giveaway.

CLICK Espresso Protein Shake Review/Giveaway

Kelly from CLICK sent me 2 packets of CLICK Espresso Protein Shake, one French Vanilla and one Mocha  along with a shaker. 

You can use 12 oz or 14 oz of water with the protein shake.   For me less water is better, so I went with  12 oz of water and than  I added the packet  of French Vanilla and got to shaking it up. I normally use milk instead of water mainly, because other protein shakes  that  I've  tried in the past tend to be watery when I mixed them with water.  CLICK was not watery at all.  It had a smooth creamy  texture to me, plus  I love this shaker.   It has a metal round ball that you put in the shaker, so you can get all the protein and water mixed really good.  I have used  a lot of the different shakers, but this little baby is sweet. It really got everything mixed well.



A great cup of JOE


CHECK THIS  SHAKER OUT.   If you are looking for a good shaker that will  mix your protein shake very well.  Look no more this one will do the trick.



The metal ball is awesome in getting all the protein shake mixed up real good.

 After getting it all mixed up I poured it into a cup,  than heated  it up.   After the first  couple of sips I could really taste the coffee flavor.   I like my coffee to taste  a little more like French vanilla, but never fear I can take care of that.  I just added a few drops of french vanilla syrup and than I was good to go.  This cup of Joe was great.  I'm  just  not a  real big fan of a strong coffee taste.  With the Mocha I heated it up  and was ready to drink it when my  hubby needed  me to move him to another field, so I put it in the refrigerator.  When I got back a couple of hours later I took it out of the refrigerator and heated it up again. It heated up just like a normal cup of  Joe.  It didn't curdle or look yucky,  after I reheated it.  It even still had that  smooth creamy texture when I drank it.   I absolutely love that you can heat this protein shake up.  I have tried to heat  other protein shakes up and they just looked  yucky.

  If you love the taste and aroma of coffee you are absolutely going to love CLICK  Espresso Protein Shake.   The best thing is you can have it cold in the summer and hot in the winter.  I love that this protein shake has only 120 calories and 15 grams of protein.  CLICK is great after a hard workout, it can also  be used as a  meal replacement or  snack.  Normally after a couple hours of drinking my usually cappuccino I would start to feel tired, not with CLICK.  After my cup of CLICK  I felt like I had a lot of energy to get through the rest of the day.  

Key features of the CLICK Espresso Protein Drink Powder:

• Alternative to Sugary Coffee & Energy Drinks
• Only 120 Calories
• High In Protein - 15 grams
• Enriched with 23 Vitamins & Minerals
• Low In Sugar & Calories
• Enjoy Hot or Cold
• Caffeine Content Equal to 1 1/2 Cups of Brewed Coffee

The great people at CLICK are  offering one of my followers a gift package, so that  you can give CLICK  a try yourself.  How sweet is that.

                                         HOW TO ENTER

1) (Mandantory) - Become a follower of  my blog, if not already.  1-entry

2)(Mandantory)  Like CLICK  on facebook HERE  and tell them the Pink Hat Runner sent you. 1-entry

3) Facebook, Blog, twitter,etc about giveaway. 1-entry for each



                             The winners will be chosen by random.org on 12/9

                                                          Good Luck!



Disclaimer-The Federal Trade Commission mandates that I let you know that CLICK provided me with the products free of charge. However, the opinion expressed is solely my own. 

RCC Run the Woods

The RCC Trail Race  didn't start till 11:00.  This race is only 4 miles from my house, so I just had to do it. Right!   The 4-Mile trail runs over open pasture to dense timber; including rocks and
rough terrain, steep upgrades and water crossings.

 I loved that I got to sleep in this morning.  Good thing, because I didn't sleep worth a crap last night.  My buttock was aching all night.   I don't know what I did because it has been feeling a lot  better lately.  DAM BUTTOCKS.  

When I got up I had to get hubby's lunch ready for him to take to the field. Than  I had a few errands in town  to run before the race. 

  I did this Trail Race last year and said I wouldn't run it again. It is a tough trail race. This trail  race is literally a pasture where they put cows to pasture for a short time. You are mainly running in the cow path that they make when they are put there.  So you're not only running through creeks or jumping over fallen trees, your trying not to step in any cow pies.   It looked like to me the cows hadn't been moved very long ago.  The cow pies were  looking  pretty fresh to me.   I was trying so hard to watch my step because I didn't want to sprain an ankle or screw up my knees, that I unfortunately kept stepping in those DAM cow pies.   

 

I'm not use to running  trails, so for me this is very challenging.  I fell 2 times, each time I was praying I wouldn't land in a cow pie.  Thank goodness that didn't happen.   I was already going to smell like shit when I got done with this race from stepping in so many cow pies.  Last year, I don't remember having to deal with fresh cow pies, they  must of moved the cows earlier last year.

Yes, I finished in 45 min.   I really liked doing this race this year.  It was a nice change from always  running  on the pavement.

My next race is in two weeks, it is the BIG Living History Farm  Off Road Race.  We're dressing up as the 3 Little Pigs. 

                                        Have you ever done a Trail Race?

                                 What do you like about running Trails?

I'm a Believer/ Tommie Copper Review

Jordan from Tommie Copper was awesome and  sent me the Women's Compression Shirt, Calf Sleeves and  Knee Sleeves to review.  I've  never even new what compression  garments were until I started blogging and reading more about the use of  compression gear.  The only thing I have that is compression is my compression shorts.  I use them mainly so that the  junk in the trunk doesn't shake to much and I don't get chaffed between the thighs,when I'm running.  I was so excited to give Tommie Copper compression gear a try.  

About Tommie Copper

Tommie Copper is the leader in innovative copper compression wear that is designed to be comfortably worn all day by athletes and non-athletes alike who want relief from everyday aches and pains. All Tommie Copper gear are manufactured in the United States utilizing a patented Therapeutic Copper Compression (TCC) technology that combines copper infused yarn with an exclusive multi-directional recovery process. 

The line includes multiple colored sleeves for the elbows, knees, calves and ankles, as well as a line of compression shirts for men and women and gloves available online and through a special television offer.

 What are the benefits of compression? (source)

Compression helps stabilize muscle tissue, keeping the swelling of muscle fibers at a micro and manageable level. The benefits of compression and the ability of compression to increase oxygen blood flow to the muscles cannot be overstated. Gravity can cause a build-up of fluid in the muscles and surrounding tissue, not only from overuse or repetitive movements, but also during and after exercise. This increased swelling will often result in limited mobility and pain due to inflammation. Without wearing compression, the result can be muscle damage, including micro-tears leading to inflammation. Compression helps reduce the inflammation that might slow down the recovery process and therefore helps reduce Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.

I received the Tommie Copper  compression  garments  one week before my marathon.  I would of loved to give them a try right away, but  I new not to change anything a week before a marathon.  However, I've been in the field day and night harvesting  and my poor knees have literally been killing me when I'm running the combine.  I think it's from sitting in the combine  all day.   I was trying some braces that I've used in the past  when I was having some knee issues.  They turned out to be so bulky in the back of the knees, that  I had to take them off after 2 hours of being in the combine.  



Combining with my Tommie Copper Knee Sleeves.

 So, when I saw those knees sleeves I couldn't wait to give them a try.  The knee sleeves are made of a thin  material that is light and not bulky at all.  As I'm looking over the knee sleeves I was  having a hard time thinking that these, thin  knees sleeves were going to work. I would have to say I was feeling a little skeptical.  When I put the knee sleeves on they were not as  tight as I expected them to be. Since I've never had a pair of knee sleeves, I thought they would be skin tight, but that was not the case with Tommie Coppers knee sleeves.  I loved that I was  able to wear them under my jeans and not have any bunching up on the backside of my knees.  The first time I wore the knee sleeves in the combine, I couldn't believe how after 2 hours in the combine, I still wasn't having any knee pain. Each time I wore them while combining, I had no pain in my knees and it has been a long harvest.  I have gotten to use the Tommie Copper Knee Sleeves alot over the last several weeks.  I'M A  BELIEVER. Tommie Copper  Knee Sleeves are awesome.   You won't catch me in the combine, without my Tommie Copper Knees Sleeves.

 Tommie Copper Knee Sleeves

Increases range of motion and mobility

Designed to stay in place, unlike most other knee sleeves

Adds strength and support to the knee

Helps relieve pain caused by arthritis

Tommie Copper Calf Sleeves 
I've  been hearing alot about wearing calf  sleeves after doing  a marathon or  after your long runs, so your calfs aren't as sore the next day.   I was so pumped that the calf sleeves got here just  before the marathon.  What a great way to give them a try, after running 26.2 miles. When I got home that night after running the marathon, I put the calf sleeves on when I  got ready for bed.   They were not to tight or bulky.  I really didn't even notice I had them on.  I know after my first marathon, it seemed like my legs were sore for  days afterwards. This time when I woke up the next day, my calfs felt really good.  I didn't have the soreness as I did with the first marathon.  I'm loving these calf sleeves.



OK, Don't look at my awful knees, but these Tommie Copper calf sleeves are awesome

 Tommie Copper Calf Sleeves

Reduces muscle inflammation in the calf

Relieves calf pain and shin pain

Stimulates circulation

Comfortable compression that you can wear all day

 Tommie Copper Compression Shirt
After the marathon I was having some awful pain in my back right between the shoulder  blades.   I'm not sure what caused that, but I couldn't wait to get home and give that Tommie Copper Compression shirt a try,   When I went to bed that night I put on the Tommie Copper Compression shirt, not  knowing  what to expect. It was snug, but not to tight.   When  I woke up the next morning  my back was feeling much better.  It was still a little sore, but not like it was the night before.  I decided I would wear it to work,  just to see if I could get some more of the soreness out.  After several days of wearing the Tommie Copper  Compression shirt day and night my back  was feeling good.

Tommie Copper Compression Shirt 

                                Comfortable enough to be worn all day under your work clothes.
                                Adds compression support for the back and shoulders.

Tommie Copper garments are machine washable and dryer safe.

 

I love that Tommie Copper gear are affordable  to.  The sleeves are $24.50 and the compression shirts are $ 44.50.

As skeptical as I was, I'm now  a Believer of Tommie Copper Compression gear.  Now, if  Tommie Copper could just make  compression shorts or  thigh sleeves  that would make my hammies and buttocks happy, I would be eternally grateful.

Tommie Copper isn't  just for runners, it's for the everyday person seeking relief from daily aches and pains.

Have you ever been skeptical of trying a new product?

Have you ever tried compression products before?

What is you favorite compression garment?

Disclaimer-The Federal Trade Commission mandates that I let you know that Tommie Copper provided me with the products free of charge. However, the opinion expressed is solely my own. 

IMT Des Moines Marathon Recap

Got up at 2.30 to go to the bathroom than laid back down, but wasn't able to go back to sleep.  I was planning to get up around 5.00, but ended up getting up at 4.30  I just  couldn't  go back to sleep.   We  all wanted to get there early so we didn't get to stressed  out about getting where we needed to be and getting our potty stops in before race.




Me getting ready to leave home

 

My signature pose

  






 Earlier in the week I mentioned to Dan that I was hoping to start with him, because our pace was about the same.  Of course being a man he was not going to get there as early as us girls.   I kept looking for him, but I wasn't having any luck seeing him.  My blood pressure was  starting to rising.  I kept thinking I cant believe I'm going to have to run this marathon by myself.  SHIT.   I better start getting ready mentally.   We all headed on out to the starting line.  Most of us  had planned on starting at the 10.30 pace.  Blood Pressure is way out of whack by now.  It was about  10 minutes before the start and I hear someone yelling at us girls.  Bless his heart it's Dan and his college friend who  is running the marathon too.  Thank you God.   At that moment I could feel my blood pressure starting to go  back down. 

Mile 1-3   The gun went off and we all started  running or you could say walked to the start line.   The first 3 miles were pretty flat.  We all were just talking away and I didn't really realize that we had gone 3 miles already.

Mile 4-8  OK,  This is where the hills come in to play on this marathon.  It's pretty much  up and down from  4 to 8 miles.   I got through them, but it was really taking a toil on my  hammies and my right buttocks right in the center of my butt checks.   I was so happy to get those 4 miles done.  So was my Buttocks  and Hammies.

Mile 9-15  This is Polk Blvd and their is always alot of people on this street cheering you on.  I love these 6 miles of the marathon. At mile 10, I hear some girls behind me say to this guy, " Are you that guy".  He said "Yes I'm that guy.  I thought for a second could that be  Jim from over @  50 after 40 running behind me. It was just  a thought, because Jim wouldn't be behind  me he would be almost done with the marathon by now. This guy's name was Dirk and he to had just ran the Kansas City Marathon on Saturday and was doing the IMT Des Moines Marathon on Sunday.  This was his 10th Marathon this year and he still had one more to do.  It was so nice to visit with him.   I love meeting new people when I run a race.  At around mile 12 we got to run around the Drake Stadium, which we call the Blue Mile.  It is so cool running around that track.   I felt like a Track Star.  



I'm a Track Star


Mile 16-20  I was starting to feel tired and my butt and hammy were really tight. The guys  stopped to go to t he bathroom and I stretched out my buttocks and hammies.   Boy, that felt good.    I took a Power bar gel at 18 miles.  I started running again  and all of a sudden I thought I was going to throw up.  I stepped off to the side and bent over, thinking  Holy Shit this isn't good.  The lady that was behind me came over and offered me a Gu, I told her I think that's why I'm not feeling so great at the moment.  So I decide no more gel for me.   I tried to take Gatorade but that doesn't agree with me either.   So , I mainly stuck with water.   This is the part of the marathon I know it gets kind of lonely.  Their is not a lot of spectators around Waterworks Park.  Around mile 19 some guy  who was running behind me said "You are doing good Penny, keep it up.  Than a few minutes later, like an after thought he says "I'm not looking at your butt".   I yelled back and said, " That why my name is on my butt honey, so you can call me by name. We got to to mile 20 and I told Dan and Jason to go ahead I needed to take a walk break.



Dan, Jason and Me at Water Works Park

  

Mile 21-26.2  From here on out I was doing a run/walk.   I was feeling really tired, but I didn't dare take anything for fear I would up chuck.   I just kept getting water at the water stops.  My running partner from last year was suppose to meet me at mile 22 and run the rest of the way with me.  She didn't show because her knees were killing her after she got done with  the half.  I had told her earlier in the week  if  her knees were hurting not to meet  me.  I could do those last miles by myself . I was kind of bummed when I hit 22, and no Tree.   But I totally understood why she wasn't there.  I could finish this marathon on my own.  YAHOO. I just kept putting one foot in front of the other.  At mile 25, I heard someone say 'You are almost done Penny"  I turned around and it was Dirk, coming up behind me again.  We talked alittle and than I needed another walk break.  It's a weird feeling when you know God is looking out for you.  That is just what I needed to get me to that DARN finish line.   Mile 26, I see my running partner shaking some cowbells, she came out and gave me a hug and I started to shed a tear.  I was just so  DARN  happy that I was almost to the finish line. 

I DID IT. I finished my second Marathon.  Not as good as last year, but I'll take it. 

Finishing Time: 5:17

Rachele,Me, Dan,Vickie our cheerleader, Jason and Tree

 After I got done with the marathon, I needed to make a couple of stops before I headed on home.  I didn't know when I would make it back to Des Monies, being in the field and all.   My son called and asked me to bring supper home.  I stopped at McDonald's and got him and hubby something for supper.  I get home and bring all my stuff into the house.  I than hurried and changed my clothes so I could take the guys some food.  I get to Parker and give him his supper early and than I head on over to hubby and give him his supper.   I should of known that, that my work was not done for the day yet.   Hubby says I need you to help with somethings, I said OK.   We need to move the grain cart and a pickup.  Got that done, so I left to go home and do chores before it got dark.  I hate doing the chores in the dark.   I was almost done doing chores and my phone rings, hubby says when you get done with chores  we need to move more stuff, because they were almost done with that field.  If you don't know how moving things work, it could take 15 minutes or it could take hours.   SHIT I'M WEARING DOWN.   I  didn't get back home till 7 pm.  My hubby could tell I was wearing down.  He jokingly said "Now you need to check those late beans, which is 10 miles from where we live.    It took me a few minutes to process what he was saying, I was so Darn tired.  I said you are joking aren't you. He just smiles at me and tells me to go on home and get to bed.  I told him I was so tired I might not even take a bath.

I finally got home and got my bath taken.   I still need to get his lunch fixed for the next day, plus get my own lunch ready for Monday.   I think I finally got to bed around 8.30.   I had a great time doing this marathon.  I love just being around all of those runners.

Sorry, I took so long in get out this recap.   We have literally been in the field day and night, since the weather here has been so nice.

IMT Des Moines Marathon outfit

This is my outfit I'll be wearing for the IMT Des Moines Marathon on Sunday.

I love to let people on the street cheering for all the runners, know my name.  I think this will do it.  Don't you?  No pink hat this time.   Mentally, I have to go into this marathon with the mind set , that  I'm going to have fun  and enjoy every minute of it.  Even when it gets tough.  I'm not  predicting a time for when I will  finish.  I feel that would take some of the enjoyment out of running this marathon. For me it's not about beating a time, it's about just enjoying the moment.  

                         My Bib #

The weather for Sunday is calling for High 65 F, 20% chance of showers .  It sounds like the showers will be north of us. YAHOO!  It going to be a great day for a Marathon.

             What are you wearing for your race this weekend?

Do you like to let people know your name when you are running a race?

Good Luck Runners

                                     
I will be running the IMT Des Moines Marathon on Sunday.   Theirs  a few other bloggers that will be running the IMT Des Moines Marathon also.     


                         

Full Marathon
Jim @50 After 40
Kerri @ TutuRunner

Half Marathon
Angie @ Barefoot Angie Bee

Hartford Marathon on Saturday

Kari @ Running Ricig is running the Hartford Marathon.
Stephanie @ Running to Health is running the Hartford Half Marathon.


                                  





                                          "GOOD LUCK RUNNERS"                 
  

                      Are you running a race this weekend?