Archive for March, 2012

A Running Weekend-Without Running

Monday, March 26th, 2012

Remember when I told you about my freakish injury that is preventing me from running right now?  Well the good news is, I successfully had an entire weekend dedicated to running, just without the actual running part.

Friday night I went to the Shamrock Shuffle expo to work the Women’s Half Marathon booth.  It was a lot of fun, I got to meet some of the other women from the ad and I even got to meet reader Chrissie (hey girl, thanks for stopping by!)!

Recognize them? That’s Erica (The Expert) and Margaux (The Leader).  Do you like how we stood shortest to tallest?  These ladies were beyond nice and made me even more excited (if possible) to run the race!

Saturday, I met up with some fancy smancy Chicago running bloggers. We met at the expo which of course meant I had to go take additional pictures with my picture. I’m classy like that.

And because I’m so incredibly famous, Kim wanted my autograph and a picture with yours truly. The best news is, I managed to get 3 of me in this picture.

I  seriously am a class act. It’s a surprise these ladies didn’t tell me the wrong time and location of the meetup to avoid hanging out with me.

As you can see, I am the only one not dressed in running clothes as I was also the only one who didn’t run.  Instead I was too busy making breakfast, showering and applying makeup which basically is equivalent to running the 3 miles they did.  Hey, if I’m not allowed to run at a running blogger meetup, I might as well look like I at least showered, no?

Sunday was the actual Shamrock Shuffle! Since I couldn’t actually run it, I did the next best thing and planned on meeting Kim at the finish line for post-race food and drinks.  I’m fairly certain I walked the entire 8K just trying to find the finish line and then trying to find Sarah and Keren. Which sadly didn’t happen but then again I gave up looking for them after about 12 seconds.  I didn’t really fancy being around 40,000 sweaty people.  But alas! I found Kim and we succeed in stuffing our faces with food and beer.  This was Kim’s first time running 5 miles and she rocked it!

So if you were wondering if it were possible to have an entire weekend dedicated to running, without actually running, it can be done.

In other news, I go back to the doc tomorrow for my weirdo injury. Keep your fingers crossed it’s good news! That’s all the nonsense  I have for now!

What did you do this weekend??

PS. Because I was MIA this weekend with posting, I didn’t get to post that yesterday was JT’s birthday! Happy birthday dad!  I hope you got to roast all the hot dogs you ever wanted!

PPS. forgot to post the Sweat Pink winner in this post the first time around. Congrats # 49- Laurel C for winning! Email me at readysetfeast@gmail.com so I can get your awesome top and laces to you!

Laurel C: I like my strong legs…..they help me run and take me anywhere I need to go  And this tank is great! I’d love to have one!

Friday Faves

Friday, March 23rd, 2012

I just discovered on Google Analytics  the ability to see search terms people used that landed them on your blog.  I would be lying if I said Ididn’t spend about 15 minutes cracking up over these.

• “i peed my pants”
• Barack Obama is a woman (<-why are you searching that??)
• Going to cut off my right ankle (seriously? don’t do that!)
• Night muscles (<-???)
• Hillbilly on a bike (HA!)

But the winner this week goes to:

• Looking for a freak to come over.

How on earth did that person end up on my blog?? Glad they did though.  I’m sure I helped all of those people with finding what they were looking for.  These are just from this week.  I plan on doing a weekly roundup of my favorites each Friday.  Good news is, I will be doing a post on night muscles fairly soon. Once I figure out what the heck they are.

Another thing I like to do on Friday is link to my favorite posts from this week. I love bloggers, and am obsessed with 99% of them. Considering I follow about 29302 blogs I figured every Friday I would do a link roundup of my fave posts from the week.  Here are this weeks:

Funny:

• Gingerfoxx’s first world problems. I look forward to these every Wednesday.
• My lovers CTW and G share their story of how they met here
• My girl SarahOUAL knew I wanted to see 23902 pictures of her butt 
• SkinnyRunner is a girl after my own heart when she posted about celebs working out
• HungryRunnerGirl tells me even though I’m injured I’m still a runner

• Bev was totes rude not to invite me over for some Huevos Racheros 
• Joanne is trying to kill me with these  Sweet Potato Spinach Pesto Lasagna Rolls
• Iowa Girl Eats has ruined my taste for store-bought granola bars with these homemade ones
• Epicurean mom made me rethink having oatmeal for breakfast everyday to instead have quinoa 
• Lauren has made my skinny jeans hate me by posting a roasted red pepper and goat cheese pasta

There ya have it! My faves from the week.  Leave a link to your fave post from the week in the comments section! That’s all the nonsense I have for now!

PS.  Will I be seeing you tomorrow at the Chicago runner/blogger meetup??? Please say YES! (some of us won’t be running (me) so you can meet us after the run!)

PPS. I’ll be at the Shamrock Shuffle Expo tonight at the Women’s Half Marathon booth from 5-7! Stop by and say HEY GURL to me!

I NEED More Pockets: Review

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

I love trying out new workout clothes.  Especially shorts. I don’t know what it is, but I just love it.  Every time I buy some new stuff it’s like Christmas morning all over again.  And that first time you try it out? Ohh nothing beats that feeling.

That’s why I was SO siked when RaceReady sent me some clothes to review!

They sent me a sweat-wicking shirt and some running shorts.  Let’s chat first about the shirt.

The shirts fabric is pretty awesome. It’s really soft and almost silky and seriously lightweight.  I don’t think I’ve tried on a running shirt that was as lightweight as this one. I really like the feeling of it on.  The only sad part is that it’s not exactly made for tall people.  For me personally, I like my running shirts a little longer so I don’t have to mess with them while I workout.  I’m 5’9 and it was a few inches too short for me so I think this would be perfect for all your normal sized people out there.

I of course still wear it because I love the fabric so much but it’s more on days I’m feeling frisky at the gym and don’t mind if my bellybutton pops out for a second or two.   *(I did hear from RaceReady and apparently they are making the shirts at least an inch or two longer this spring! Score!)

The shorts. Ohhh do I love these shorts.  They are light, just the right length and the best part??? They are loaded with POCKETS! That’s right. Finally a company has understood that we runners have about 29302 to carry while we run so they loaded these bad boys with pockets galore.   I apologize in advance for the bile that’s about to rise up in your throat after viewing this next picture.

See that? Those are ALL pockets! I love it! I can put my keys, phone, snacks, chap-stick and whatever else I fancy in those.  They velcro at the top to ensure all your crap actually stays in the shorts instead of falling out and leaving a little trail behind you.  There’s even more pockets on the side!

Check out how sneaky you can be with these. .. Oh whoops, hang on, let me get some  GU out for the rest of this run. Seriously how awesome are all these pockets?  Makes me want to take everything I own with me on my long runs.  If you are running outside, these are the shorts you want to be in.

If you are lucky enough not to be a gorilla like myself, this shirt is perfect for you.  And if you enjoy working out in shorts, these shorts are perfect for you. If you do get a pair and we run together, be aware that I may need to put additional stuff in your pockets.  Hope you don’t mind carrying a banana, flip flops or a towel.

Thanks RaceReady! That’s all the nonsense I have for now!

***RaceReady did not sponsor this review.  All of the opinions above are 100% mine and come from my busted brain.

How to Be a Professional

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

We need to talk about something very important for a minute.  If you have read my “about” page you know that I live with this guy:

(In my head of course.) Don Draper.  Just look at him. Seriously?

Is he even real?

I’m not so sure.  But what I can tell you is IT’S BACK! This Sunday marks the start of the 5th season.  What will the fate on Don Draper be?? Who watches Mad Men??

OK on to business.  And by business I mean nonsense.  Being a blogger means that you sometimes get to email ‘professionally’ with some pretty awesome people.  As you all know, RSF (Ready Set Feast) is clearly 150% professional  at all times.   I was  emailing with one of the coordinators for the Chicago Women’s Half Marathon about being at the event’s booth at an upcoming race expo.  The coordinator requested this of me:

Can you promise not to pee in our booth?

And other email exchange with a company consisted of this:

Do you like Ryan Gosling just a wee bit?

I kid you not. Those are verbatim from the e-mails.  As you can see they consider me a professional. Finally.  These people get me. And of course I didn’t make any promises about not peeing in the expo booth so if you come by to see me, don’t be surprised if it happens. I get excited.  A lot.

I do of course take running/working out/eating healthy very serious in my life.  I just chose to try and humor you with it instead on my blog.

I would like to direct your attention to an great article over at Runners World though.  Remember Monday when I talked about motivation? Well this article talks about it more.  By now you should have enough motivation to get on with that workout of yours. So go! Run, elliptical, walk, bike. yoga, swim or whatever else you’ve been putting off!

That’s all the nonsense I have for now! Tell me something funny that’s happened to you lately!

ps. don’t forget to enter the Sweat Pink giveaway!