Bucket List: 10K Prep 2

My running team (Team Jeep) and I checked out the race route again this past weekend.  We ran the full 10K and then some.  The weather conditions we ran in Sunday should be similar to the ones we will run on race day. Very, very chilly and windy.  After the run, and during the run, I came up with some more items to put on my checklist.


10K Checklist continued

 Warmer gloves -- I'm also going to have to find some place to put my phone.  I need to keep my fingers moving or they will freeze off. I want my phone so I can get my split mile times.

Better Sunglasses - The sunglasses need to wrap around the sides of my eyes.  This is so they keep the wind out.  My eyes were watering on our run and I'm afraid of my contacts popping out.

Thermal dry-fit socks - I all ready had these but decided I didn't like the color.  So I went out to get some black ones to match my running pants. The running pants are also thermal and dry-fit. 

Race Day Number - I went and picked it up today! The weather is suppose to be pretty cold and there is snow in the forecast. I can only hope I am prepared.  


Bath Salts - This is one of the most important items for before the race and after the race. This will relax me for a good night's sleep the night before the race.  Then, when I get home I can hop in a nice hot bath to soak those achy, cold muscles.


So -- on the advice from an old friend -- I will keep my arms low, find a comfortable cadence and run like AP the last 100 yards -- and pray I will not freeze and finish the race. 

Back on the Road for my Next Adventure! Happy Trails!

Bucket List: First 10K Prep

I've decided to amend my current bucket list to add "Run in My First 10k". The 10k I picked is in less than one week! Yikes!!! I'm a little nervous and I am a lot worried I might not be ready. So I'm making a list and will check it twice.

I have been running and lifting weights at the gym since April.  (That's when I decided I better start living healthier.) I also found a great running partner who inspired me to run the 10k.  She also keeps me motivated to keep running even when I feel like stopping. So since I have a less than a week to get ready I figured I'd better work on that list.

10k Are You Ready Checklist

1. Be able to run 6.2 miles - My running partner and I were able to do this last Sunday when we checked out the course.  We will go for it again this week.

 2. Strength training - I have been lifting weights at the gym and home three days a week now for over six months. My muscles are getting stronger and increasing a little bit every week. I can measure this with my new scale. It measures everything from BMI to body fat to muscle.   

3. Proper running shoes - I am testing out shoes I all ready have. So far my favorite ones are the one my dog chewed up.

4. Headgear - I will be wearing an headband from Under Armor. It's dry-fit and will keep my head dry and warm. It's suppose to be in the low 30's the day of the race.

5. Gloves - I will need two pair.  The first pair are a pair of Nike dry fit running gloves.  The second pair will allow me to us my iPhone while I run so I can monitor my pace.  

6. iPhone with Map My Run App - This is so I can monitor my pace.  I was thinking of getting a watch that would do the same thing.  But  -- since I'm pretty superstitious, I might just have to stick with what I am used to.

7. Layers of clothes - November gets quite chilly here but once you get running your body temperature ramps up.  Plus there is always a chance of a hot flash coming on so it's better to be prepared to take off some of those layers.

8. Hydrate  - It's good to start days before the race to make sure your body is all ready to go.

9. Healthy Eating - I know everyone says to load up on carbs before the big game or race.  Well -- I am going to have to skip this one.  I haven't been eating a lot of carbs for months.  The other night we went to a fundraiser dinner at an Italian restaurant.  I couldn't resist the pasta or bread.  BIG, BIG mistake.  So I will stick to my protein and vegies.

   

Well, that's it for now but I will be working on adding to that checklist.  If anyone out there has anything I should add please let me know.  This is my first ever 10K.  Plus I haven't run a race since my senior year in high school which was many years ago. So any great advice is appreciated. 

Back on the Road for my Next Adventure! Happy Trails!

Stress-Busting Tips!

My theme this year has been all about "Getting Healthy" and enjoying life.   Getting healthy has many facets -- eating right -- getting outdoors -- exercise -- being happy.  Another way is to reduce stress. There are so many levels of stress and so many things that trigger stress. Stress is unique to each individual. So there is no one right way to reduce the stress. We all need to find our own steps to reducing stress.  I have spent the past couple of months taking steps to reduce my own stress.

Step 1 -- What triggers my stress?  I made a list of the top 5 things that gave me stress.

My Top 5 things that stress me out!

Volunteering: I say yes way too much, so I'm learning to say no. I also cut my volunteering time in half.
Dinner: I stressed to much about what to make for dinner each night.  So once a week I plan out a menu, write it on the calendar and shop once a week for the food. 
Money: my new goal is to be more frugal.  We sat down as a family and found ten ways to be more conservative with our money.
My health: I now eat right, exercise and have fun.
Clutter: I can't stand to have "stuff" everywhere.  So once a month I take a day to purge.  Now I'm finding things I can re-sell & donate. This also helps with the money issue.

Step 2 -- Get rid of the things that gave me stress.

Step 3 -- If I couldn't get rid of the things that gave me stress I made a list of the top 5 things that could take away the stress.

My Top 5 Stress-busters

1. Topless Jeep driving -- especially on a sunny day.  The sun in you face and the wind in your hair always does the trick.

2. Getting a facial -- it's ten times better than any back massage.

3. Listening to music -- it works even better when you combine it with number one.

4.  Wearing comfortable cloths --my favorites are my Victoria's Secret Yoga pants and the other intimate items they sell in their stores!

5. A hot bubble bath always relaxes the muscles and sooths the mind.  My favorite scents are anti-stress, lavender, citrus and chamomile.


There is so much out their in the world that can cause stress.  We just need to be aware of what is causing our stress and to stay away from it.  If you can't stay away find the things that will make you happy, even if for a short period of time.

Life is too short to spend it being stressed and unhappy! Find the things that make you happy and Just Do It!

                     - Simple Living! - Enjoying Life! - The Jeep Life! - 

Wanting a Manly Man's Jeep -- Or Not?

My whole life I've never been a girlie-girl, but yet - not a tomboy.  I guess you could call me simple, and not big on flash.  I don't wear make-up or jewelry, nor am I big on accessories.

When I bought my Jeep, I was looking for something different, something rugged, something outdoorsy, something simple, but definitely not girlie-girl, nor mom-like -- more manly-man.

A friend of mine, also a Jeep Lover, sent me a link to a Craig's list ad for a Jeep.  The ad noted as one of the manliest Craig's list ads.

manliest-craiglist-post-ever

So, I checked it out -- thinking I need to see what it takes to have a manly Jeep, because I want a manly man's Jeep. Sometimes I'm told my Jeep isn't Jeep enough, I'm not letting it be manly. My kids tell me I need to get a lift kit or add this or that to the Jeep to make it cooler.
       
However, I'm a little troubled, after reading the post. I realized a couple of things and I am re-thinking the manly-man Jeep idea.

--I'm afraid my Jeep could be considered a cookie cutter Jeep -- Ugh, now I need to make it unique.

--Also, mine is a metro feminine automatic-- Ugh, how do I turn that automatic into a manly man's automatic?

--One good thing: the top comes down, the windows zip off and the doors come off for natural AC unlike the metro feminine AC/heated seats in some Chevy Avalanches ;-)

--Another good thing: You can spill and get mud in my Jeep (just not on the seats)


--I will admit I do have a Jeep sticker but it's not a "Jeep Thing" sticker.






--Chrome bumpers -- Nope -- All-American Rugged Steel covered in plastic.

--And it's definitely pumping lots of raw fuel not through a six nuclear plant but a four -- pretty close.

Then I read further hmmm!  Do I really want a manly man's Jeep with what could possibly happen when I do get it turned into a manly man's Jeep?

• Chest hair & beard -- nope don't think so...

• Catching more fish, having more tools or a bigger TV -- don't care for those.

• I all ready eat mostly meat with some added some fruits & vegi's and a glass of wine once in a while.

• My "wife" stocks wine instead of beer, and takes out the garbage all ready.

• All ready have all male offspring.

• However... I'm the one who bitches about clothes on the floor (maybe that would stop).

• Kegs, bar fights and Gentleman's clubs -- been there, done that...

So, do I want to have a manly man's Jeep with all the expected changes that could happen? I think maybe I'll stick with the Manly Girl's Jeep...I'll keep away all the pink and pastel accessories,  leave it muddy, maybe add a winch so I can help out my neighbors this winter.  However, I would love to win the lottery, and have my flesh turn to steel or at least my muscles.

Back on the Road for my Next Adventure! Happy Trails!