What's Your Dream?

Let's take it back to the basics, running gear 101. It may seem silly but everyone has to start somewhere and when you're just starting out something for the very first time you don't have things you need such as running shirts or even running pants. So that's what the Christmas gifts were for a days 10 and 11.  On day 10 Anthony received a running shirt and on day 11 he received a pair of running leggings. Both are things that he didn't have before and the leggings will really help out during the winter months. You don't have to have special gear when it comes to running but it does help keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, it helps keep you dryer and it keeps the chances of chafing down. When it comes to long distance running it can be worth it to invest in running specific clothing, if anything to keep the chafing down. And for me to keep it helps to keep me cooler because I sweat like a pig, and I am not afraid to admit that either!  ...

Tomorrow morning I will be departing work and headed straight up to Snohomish to run in the the Snohomish River Run half marathon. I have run this race before back in 2012, their first year. Because it was their first year there were many ... difficulties. For instance the shuttles was so late that my sister and I had to walk down to the start. Which added almost another mile onto the distance for that day and then the course ending up being rather difficult at one point at the "turn around" you repeated the same spot several times and mentally it was just really hard. But I have high hopes for the race this year. There is a new "route" it's almost backward from the original and there is plenty of parking close to the start, only a couple of blocks away. I also feel that they have a better understanding for the requirements of their aid stations , they added a couple more, even more porta potties!  I just know that this year the race will be an amazing event co...

Today I am running in the Biggest Loser Half Marathon in Everett, WA. I am looking forward to it but I am also nervous about it.  I am already exhausted and it's only 2:00 am! I have four more hours left on my shift before I drive up to Everett as quickly and safely as I can (it will be super foggy) and get my race packet before the race! Not to mention get a parking spot which is also a big concern for me at this race because time really does matter, I don't have any to waste today. But it'll all work out, one way or the other. These are just a few things on race day that I am concerned about and I know there are many others out there that have the same race day concerns.  In preparation for today's race I made a check list of all of the things that I needed to take with me to work to get ready for the race. After looking at the list it made me realize just how much stuffing running really takes! And how much all of this stuff costs! It's crazy! It is definitely no...

On Sunday, Anthony, Tricia and I ran in the Rivalry Clash Huskies vs Cougars 5k/10k at Marymoore Park in Redmond, WA.  To get ready for the race I first laid out my outfit (because it's important to look better than those cougars!) And then I painted my nails very festive purple and gold theme, as shown below. Now I have noticed this new trend in the running world that people actually take photos of their race day outfits. So after thinking this is a little odd for a few months seeing people post and post and post their outfits I decided to give it a go this time. And this is what I came up with. Now one important factor for me about the races that I am able to do, is that they usually take place after I get off my 12 our shift at work. So I usually change at work and then head straight to the race, which thankfully, this time was right near my home so I didn't have to go too far out of my way and I didn't have to hurry to get there on time. But this also means that the rac...

Diet, for me, I have to watch every single little thing I eat or I balloon up over night! I personally keep a food log on MyFitnessPal , bassett8807 to friend me, and I really do try to log all the food that I eat. I also keep track of my exercise on MyFitnessPal and MapMyRun for all of my outside workouts (you may also friend me on MapMyRun !).  MyFitnessPal MapMyRun I started working out and dieting in 2011 and I lost 40 lbs! But when I moved to the Seattle and started working night shift I gained 30 lbs slowly over a year and a half. All of my hard work down the drain! I was still working out and eating healthy but the schedule did not suit my body. I couldn't figure it out. Finally one day I was pushed to my limits and tried, what I consider to be, something drastic. I started Nutrisystem .  Right away I started losing weight! I lost 15 lbs in the first couple of months. Then I plateaued for a few months, which was due to my busy summer schedule and slacking a little on ...

I noticed something strange the last few times I bought myself gifts... they all have a strange theme to them. . . then today when I was getting ready for work I chuckled to myself thinking, "Yep, I'm a runner!" So I decided to make today's blurb about my apartment and it's tells that I am a runner. Let's see if you agree. When you walk into my apartment I have a shoe rack to take off your shoes right away. On this rack I have four pairs of running shoes that I rotate through, not that unusual I suppose. But then you look up on the wall across from the shoe rack and you are greeted with this: Now, I can see where this might give the "I'm a runner!" vibe. I mean a whole board of race bibs and medals can't be that weird. On the the next section of my apartment, the dining room. You look to your right and BOOM! There is a bike and two more boards full of running memorabilia! Ok ok enough with the running bibs and encouragement clippings! On to t...