Track this, the Jawbone UP24 & RunKeeper

My mother and father are FitBit users and after speaking with them here and there about the trackers I decided to check some out. After looking into the different options on the market I decided to go with Jawbone's UP24. I really only looked at FitBit Flex and the UP bands. I like the "holistic" approach that Jawbone (or at least Jawbone's marketing department) takes. 

I ordered right from the company, in hindsight, Amazon would have saved me a few bucks and would have shipped faster but I received it and began wearing it immediately as it came charged. I started wearing it around 5pm and hit the treadmill once I got home, I soon found myself at 92% of my recommended steps for the day and thought "I need to calibrate this thing" but alas, I did not. I failed to run the next day and found myself at my desk rather than in the field due to the less then tropical temperatures (wind chill of -2 in New England is rough...) . I tracked only 80% over the entire day.  I love the sleep data and have actually gotten over 7:45 hrs of sleep every night since I got the band, something I wouldn't have guessed. 

Because I use RunKeeper, the UP24 was a better choice for me because the two connect and work together. I have been an Endomondo user for the past few years but RunKeeper's ability to set long term goals won me over. The only thing I dislike about RunKeeper taht Endomondo rocks at is  giving you other activity options, Endomondo offers an extensive activities list which includes everything from tennis to hiking to ice hockey. RunKeeper's "other" activity list is very limited and I find myself having to log my ice hockey games under "Sports". I guess it is called RUNkeeper so I can't hold it against them. On the app I was able to set my goal of 500 miles and each run I track or log builds to that goal. RunKeeper then talks to the UP app and voila! I can access my run data in UP. 

Thus far I am impressed with both and will continue to use it on a daily basis. The sizes are a little tricky as my wrist measurement fell in between the large and the medium, I opted for the medium and find myself giving it an extra squeeze here and there to keep the limbs overlapping like they are in the package but looking at images online it seems that they don't necessarily have to overlap as much as I like them to.

Having something that gives me feedback like these apps and bands do is interesting for me and helps me stay on target. They are welcome additions to my training repertoire and I think they can only add to the assessment of my running and activity. Plus it feels a little Star Trekky, and I LOVE that....

Running in the Rain (Physically and Metaphorically)

We had a beautiful rain day here on the island Tuesday. I managed to get out of work a little early and got in a 3.88 mile jaunt on the "Old Dump Loop".  That route really takes me home, it goes through the area I grew up in and it's off the beaten path and isn't especially scenic so there's not a ton of traffic. It's got a little bit of gradual elevation gain which is nice because it tricks my body into thinking it's just a nice flat run. 

There's something empowering about running in the rain. I returned to the house soaking wet and slightly chilled yet with a smile on my face. It refreshes my spirit. Before this venture into running, drizzly days were some of the only times I was inspired to run. It takes me back to being a kid and getting grubby and sweaty and not caring that my hair is plastered to my head, I've got mud up my leg, or that my socks are soaking wet. It's magic.

One thing I'm reaffirming about running, biking, hockey, really any good, solid, physical activity, is that it is extremely cathartic both physically and emotionally. I am going through a challenging time in my life. I may get a bit more into it at a later date but suffice to say my current rough patch has to do with my failed marriage. It is nothing that others haven't gone through before me and others will go through after me, each journey is different and I'm trying to navigate mine. A piece of solace through this, on top of the incredible support and love of family and friends, is the balance that comes when I lace up my sneakers (or skates) and head out to clear my mind and strengthen my body. 

Setting this goal of 500 miles and sticking to it gives me something I have complete control over whereas in other aspects of my life things may feel like they are coming apart at the seams. The running allows me the space and time I need to clear my head, to sweat out the stress, and to shift my focus to a tangible, trackable goal, if just for a short time each week. It's not an escape per say, but a chance to recharge and center myself. It's my chance to be me.

The Cookie Dough Deceiver

If you try one recipe on here, try this one: Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

I've made it a couple times, it takes a bit of practice to get your consistencies just right but it is worth it. Who would have thought that hummus could taste this delicious ? (and I like hummus!)

Try this, it's a great snacking alternative to the real deal, similar taste, none of the guilt.

Gluten Free Mac & Cheese

Just over a year ago, after a extremely uncomfortable allergy session that completely ruined my Christmas Eve, I decided to try eating Gluten Free, more realistically, Low Gluten. A friend had gone GF for other reasons and had noticed a drop in her seasonal allergies. I read a few articles and figured, "what have I got to lose?" Yes. Pasta, bread, beer, etc. ALL THE GOOD STUFF.

Well, a year in, I've significantly reduced my allergies. The number of days I've had to take an allergy medication has decreased incredibly. I still have pasta from time to time and will have a couple beers when beer club meetings role around but my Guinness days are limited (sadly!). So long story short, it seems to be working for me, between the GF and the Neti pot, I'm a much happier camper. I'm pretty thankful that it's a pretty minor aversion, meaning I can partake in my favorite gluten filled dishes once in a while. 

Here's a favorite recipe, I like to add some veggies and maybe some liguicia...

Mac & Cheese Quinoa

Week 2 Breakdown

This was a harrowing week for my running, temps were coming in the 10's, my schedule was jam packed and I found it difficult to get my 3 runs in. If I can pull myself out of bed earlier in the mornings I could get in the 3-4 that I'm aiming for  but it's just so damn cozy on those cold winter mornings! 

I managed 2 runs despite the cold and craziness and it certainly felt good to get those in even though both were on the treadmill, I hate being a giant hamster in a wheel, guess it's time to put on my big girl tights and get outside! I upped my speed a bit on the treadmill and once I got into a rhythm I was pretty solid.....then my iPad lost the wifi connection and my focus was gone, I do so enjoy running while watching an episode of one show or another, I feel the time pass a bit faster when I'm caught up in the politics of vampire/ human interaction in Louisiana  or catching up on the Stuff You Missed in History Class Podcast. I find myself setting my run times based on the running time of episodes, unless of course I'm kickin' it to my running playlist which jumps from Mary J Blige to the Honkey Tonk Angels and over to P!nk and Neon Trees.

The Vineyard 20 Miler is fast approaching, just over a month to go..... I feel I'll be ready to do my 10, worst case scenario: my legs hate me for a few days. I'm aiming for 1:35. I think 1:40 is more realistic but I'd really like to set a goal that's a touch out of my reach rather than one I know I can hit. We'll see on the 15th......

Chia for breakfast, not a pet

Just a quick share, I've made this recipe several times now and am loving it! Lots of room to experiment (I added frozen blueberries to the initial mix and let sit overnight, delish...). If you can get pomegranates, do. They add a great texture to an already interesting dish.

Recipe: Make Ahead Chia Yogurt Oatmeal    

3 Miles and Sneaker Talk

I managed to get 3 miles on the treadmill prior to my emt shift last night (I'm a volunteer firefighter/emt in my community). I find that I tend to set a slower pace on the treadmill, it does allow me to do long slow distances better then I do outdoors as outdoors I tend to move a bit quicker and not have as much stamina. The pace last night came in at 9:03/ mile which i was pretty happy with. 

I'm alternating between a couple pair of running sneakers I just picked up from zappos (love them! try finding size 12 women's shoes anywhere else...).  I'm running in the Brooks Pure Drift and the New Balance 890v3. I like them both, the Brooks has a 4mm drop and the NB has 8mm. I've been running in minimalist shoes for the past few months and I really like them, I ran my best 5k ever (28 & change!) with little training in my NB W10's which sport a zero drop. 

I used the Brooks on a 6 miler and that was about as far as I would go in these personally, at least until I've built up my minimalist muscles a bit more. The New Balance are comfortable but not too cushy, I feel like these will end up being my go-to distance runners. Please note that for me "distance" is 4+ miles, I was a sprinter in HS and have never considered myself a runner until now. 

While  training for the Tough Mudder last year a friend told me during a run that if you're out running, you're a runner. This propelled me through a few runs and has provided a mantra for me in times when I've struggled to finish a run. Personally, if I can keep up my weekly mileage and improve little by little, I'll be happy. It's not about beating anyone else's distance or time, it's about improving my own and improving myself.

The Year of 500 miles

2014 is the year of 500 miles for me. I've decided to get to that point where I look forward to running and have started the year off with 13 miles in week one. It's been a mix of outdoor, pre-blizzard, running and racking up miles on my wonderful sister's treadmill while catching up on TrueBlood. I'm only in a week but this is the most consistent running I've done in quite a while. I forced myself to take a rest day (I know myself and don't want to burn out in the first bit) and I found that I missed going for a run. I like that development.

I plan on keeping to a schedule of running 3-4x  week on top of playing hockey 2x a week. I am currently training to run a tandem relay of the Vineyard 20 Miler with my college roommate who is a veteran of this and other impressive races. The race is run in 6 weeks or so and my portion (10 miles) will be my longest distance to date, my previous long race is a 15k (9.3 miles) that the same roommate talked me into a couple years ago. This race should be different because I am actually putting in the time and training beforehand. I'd like to think that  if I do the first leg and am feeling good I may stretch it out and do 13.2 just to prove to myself I can. That will be a game time decision though. Following that, in May I'm taking part, as a member of the Amity Island Running Club, in my first Reach the Beach Relay, 200 miles in 24 hrs ( we're  a 6 person team that will be matched with another 6 person team to log the 2oo miles).

I am hoping that this blog will help me document my training and help keep me on task, as I do tend to start strong and then justify excuses to not work out and or write. I hope to keep track of not only my running but my culinary adventures over the next year. My home was damaged a year ago when a pipe burst and flooded it but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The home, which was my grandparents, has been updated and brought up to code. While it has taken almost a year to do all the necessary work, it has been well worth it. The hope is to be moved in the last week of January. From then my cooking will take off, I've got lots of recipes to try and am excited to have more than 7 sq ft of counter space in which to work and counters that are above standard height (I'm amazon tall).

If there end up being readers of this blog, so be it. I'll be happy if it's simply a place for me to post race and training results and recipes for my enjoyment but if others find it interesting, welcome.