Group Run, Brunch, & that Time the Popsicle Saved Me

This past Saturday two of my run groups met up for a merged run.  White Rock Running Co-op & Thursday Night Social Run.  Yes, the Thursday group was meeting on a Saturday.  Don’t let it get to your head.

The official run started at 7 am, but some of us met at 6 am for some extra miles (and to beat the heat).  I ended up with a few friends and we went at about an 8:15-8:30 pace in some very hawt and humid conditions for a pre-run 5 miles.

Some of the group. Brunch joint awaits us behind.

The course took us through some pretty swanky neighborhoods – even passing by the former houses of (supposedly) Tom Cruise, Fred Couples, Deion Sanders, & Troy Aikman.  Them some big houses.  I really don’t know what people do to get that much skrilla (besides the pro athletes), but I wish they’d share some with us!

Anyway, I was hurting after that first 5 miles.  The heat was getting to me.  But I headed out on the 2nd part of the run with the main group.  A half mile in and I wish I was done.  But I kept going.  Made it to the water stop they had put out.  And here’s what was key – they had popsicles too.  I hadn’t had one in I don’t know how long, but I was struggling so much that I gobbled one down.

Holy cow, that made a difference.  I don’t know if it was the coolness, or the sugars, or both, but I felt much better after that.  Ended up going 9 total miles.

I’ve seen our buddy Helly preach the good word about these frozen treats, and now I know why!

Afterwards was probably the best part – brunch!  They had the entire patio reserved for us.  I made a 6 second Vine video…

So there you go, another successful Saturday morning.  And I guess the popsicles in the freezer won’t just be for the rug rats anymore.

How bout you?  Any group runs lately?  Any post running brunches?  Did you know of the power of the Popsicle?

-Scott

Final Cool Runs, Yoga Anus Confirmation, and Brunch!

Welp, it was nice while it lasted.  The whole ‘arctic vortex’ came and went.  We had a glorious few days of record low temps in North Texas…and I took full advantage.  I ran every day of it.  Here’s what my week looked like:

Sun – trail run + yoga.  Tues – run + weights.  Wed – track work.  Thurs – run + weights.  Fri – run.  Sat – run + yard workout.  Sun – run + yoga.

Oh, and guess what?!?!  In Sunday’s yoga I learned more about the whole ‘anus clenching‘ thing.  It’s called ‘Mula Bandha‘.  I won’t get into the details today, but it’s supposed to have many benefits.  I guess it’s a big deal.  Who knew?  That’s the thing about yoga, you’re always learning.

Anyway, after yoga, we we knew the cool weather was going buh-bye, so we squeezed in one last outdoor fun time – patio brunch!

She loved the black bean dip so much she decided to save some for later on her face and clothes and hair.

Of course the autumn-y weather is gone now and we’re back to 90% humidity and near triple digits temps.  Return of the sweatfest!  I’m not complaining though – last week’s break was such a nice surprise!

How bout you?  Been working on your mula bandha?  Who else loves patio brunches?  Anyone else get to enjoy a weather break?

-Scott

Thanksgiving Running, Gear Deals, & Butt Sweat Hearts

Over the weekend I got to run again!  I had taken 8 days off to let my knee heal more, and on Turkey Day I gave it another go.  I ended up going an easy 4 miles.  Progress!  If you missed what happened the rest of that day, you can see it here.

Anyway, it was stiff and not quite right, but much better than it had been last time.  So come Saturday, I decided to give it another go.  My RockTape came in the mail (which was exciting for me) so I taped up the leg, and met with my peeps at Project Run 214.

Some of the group!

Many of them are preparing for the Dallas Half and Full Marathon this coming weekend.  This was their last big training run.  I was supposed to go 12 miles, but told myself I’d take it easy breezy lemon squeezy.  I’d be very happy if I even made it to double digits.

Well, a funny thing happened.  I ended up running in the front with a gal who will be doing her first half come Sunday.  I hadn’t seen the training course, and of course, we got off track.  I didn’t want to cut out early and leave her, so we just kept going.  Ended up finishing over 13 miles on our make-shift route.  I was thrilled for her going that far for the first time, and happy that my knee held up!

The real test came the rest of the day, I didn’t want the knee to hurt me like it had after my earlier runs.  I’m glad to say that it didn’t the rest of the day!  I think the Arnica, rest, cross training, and other stuff I’m doing is helping!

My kind of PED’s.

When I woke the next day, it did hurt some, but not as bad as before.  I went to yoga, and that seemed to really help it.  It’s still not right, but it’s getting better.  Hopefully I can continue to run while it heals completely.

Anyway, it was also a big shopping weekend here in the States as companies roll out specials.  I was in luck because a new store in the RunOn chain opened near my house.  Besides the weekend specials, they also had grand opening deals.  Besides that they also gave gift cards if you brought in old pairs of shoes to recycle.  Besides that I had earned some cash in their rewards program.  All combined, I was able to score a pair of my Brooks Pure Flow 2 for a really really really good price (and they threw in a pair of Feetures socks, double score)!  Aaaand, they had free beer and snacks.  Triple score!

My butt sweat where I sat shows that I heart Brooks shoes.

Also this weekend, since Thanksgiving is now over, we set up the fake Christmas tree.

All our ornaments on the bottom half of the tree.

Another highlight came when the boy and I had our own brunch date at one of our fav Tex Mex joints.  Like me, he also likes to ham it up for the camera…

I wonder where he gets it from?

So pretty good times.

How bout you?  Get any good gear deals?  Is your crib decorated for the holidays?  How was you weekend?