I know I’m no pro at running, but I try really hard. So, that’s gotta count for something. Anyway, I’ve decided to put together a list of my favorite running gear. Also, since there is always a photographer at the end of almost any race you enter, I figure if you can’t dress cute, what’s the point of running?

1. Sweat bands. Hey, everyone sweats, deal with it. You may as well accessorize with these, they come in 7 different colors.

2. Ear buds. Ha, I’m not lying, my ear buds actually are Skittles ear buds. I thought they were cute. I love candy and Skittles are my daughter’s favorite candy.

3. Phone arm band. I need to listen to music when I run. Like, neeeeeed to.

4. Garmin Forerunner 310XT. This is a fairly new purchase. It’s expensive, but if you really like running, it’s so worth it. It pushes me to run faster and I really do love it.

5. Wrist sweat bands. I really may be a nerd who sweats a lot, but, I’m just keepin’ it real. Summer is here and I need this to wipe away the sweat that goes beyond the forehead sweat band.

6. Skort. Here I am, back with the cute factor… but I have always liked the look of the running skirts (or, I guess skorts). I wore this for the first time at this race, at the beginning of the race, I was a bit self conscious of what the runners behind me were seeing (there were shorts under my skirt, but they were short. Eeek). By the end of the race I didn’t care what anyone saw, I just wanted to finish and not die. (;

7. Water bottle. I like to stay hydrated, even during 3-4 mile runs and I don’t want to wear a fanny pack. I’m just not there yet. I don’t think I ever will be. This bottle is nice because it has a little zipper pouch for your energy GU packets.

8. Compression sleeves. These are the second thing I ever bought myself just for running and I love them. I always wear them when I run. And, then after long runs, I wear them to recover. Around the house. in bed. Anywhere. I have like 4 pairs incase one (or three) are in the wash.

9. Running shoes. These are the first thing I ever bought myself just for running. I got fitted at an actual running store and they chose the Brooks Ravenna for me. At first I wasn’t sure if I liked them, after a week of wearing them, I loved them. So far I’ve been through 2 pairs and am just about ready to buy my third.

Now go get some cute stuff to run in. (;

Today was the GoRun Couples Classic (and also father’s day). I was kinda bummed because Preston was supposed to be running it with me. It would have been 6 months after we ran our very first 4 mile race together. But, he has stress fractures in both legs and was put on a strict no-run diet. (;

So, I ran this with Preston’s friend, Danny (we ran my first 10k together).

I had decided last week I wanted to run this 4 mile race in 36 minutes flat, making it a 9 min/mile pace. But, when I woke up this morning I wasn’t feeling it. I’m blaming it on the party I threw on Friday and too many mexican tequila shots. Ha. What was I thinking?

Our before race picture. Yes, I know what number I have.

I got a little more pumped up when Danny and I were standing in the start line. But it just felt so dang humid to me. It was only 71 degrees out (that’s pretty dang awesome for mid June in Kansas!), but the humidity was high. And there was hardly any wind. Which is normally ideal running, but I like a little wind on humid days.

I started out pretty good in the race, I looked down at my watch and I was bookin’ it. Like under an 8 min/mile pace. Maybe I do got this?! But, then I realized we weren’t even a half mile in and I was starting to slow down. The further I went the slower my pace got. I hit the one mile mark at 9 minutes 11 seconds. Not bad, but not my pace. I was hoping I’d get that second wind and speed up.

Then came the second mile. This is the mile it usually starts to get easier. It didn’t. I kept slowing down and finished the second mile in 9 minutes 25 seconds. I knew I was in trouble.

The cutest cheering squad ever!

It was nice to look over and see the kids and Preston at one point in the race. They’re always so proud of me, smiling, waving and cheering, “Go Mommy Go!” I remember waving and then looking at my watch. Only at 2.6 miles, I was hoping it was closer to 3. I ran for a bit more and then I knew I had to walk. I was just so tired.

I guess I need to be training more and drinking less (tequila shots).

I finished the third mile in 9 minutes 45 seconds. I couldn’t believe how much slower I was running from last week. I had to walk/sprint a lot of this last mile because I really didn’t want to finish in 40 minutes or over. It was so stinkin’ hard! The only thing I could think to do was to pick people and try to sprint past them. This was the hardest I think I’ve ever pushed myself to finish in a race yet.

I really thought maybe I could throw up at the very end of the race, but I saw another guy actually do that and then I knew I didnt’ really want that to happen.

My watch buzzed right at 4 miles, so I stopped it and looked down: 37 minutes 59 seconds. A 9:28 min/mile pace.

Waving and smiling is my signature picture. And, check out Maya’s hand in the foreground. Love it.

BUt, the race had a few more yard to go to the finish line. I waved at the kids and Preston and Danny, then I pushed through and sprinted through the finish line. I finished my fourth mile in 9 minutes 33 seconds. That’s really not bad and I’m super happy with it. It’s just hard to not  get to your goal pace.

You can’t always look pretty when you’re running. Especially when you feel like dying.

I need to remember that not all races I can run my best.

Preston could tell I was bummed and he told me he was proud of me no matter what. Then he reminded me how much better I looked after this run. I recovered much fast, I was able to walk and talk and breath. Haha. And then I realized that I got 50 seconds a MILE off of my pace during this race compared to my very first 4 mile race.

Our after picture is surprisingly similar to our before picture. Ha.

I’m good with that, for sure!

I did a pushup challenge with one of my sisters before my other sister’s wedding (8 years ago). I decided it might be fun to do it again (but, by myself this time). Because another sister is getting married and my arms need to get toned to look good in that bridesmaid dress. (;

I pumped out 32 big-boy pushups this morning before work. I pretty much could punch anyone in the throat with these arms.

I was totally in the mood to walk tonight, but I thought it might be kinda hot. The kids went to bed early because they were up super late the night before. Maya started t-ball this year and she’s awesome.

So, I went for a 55 minute walk in 92 degree heat. It really wasn’t too awful with the wind and the sun going down. I got 3.7 miles. And I felt awesome when I was done. I sorta miss walking, that was how I’d get all of my exercise before I had kids. It’s relaxing to me.

I ate a bunch of food today. Lots of not good food. I made myself go for a walk in this heat after I consumed a ton of mexican food for dinner. I walked for 35 minutes at a 14 min/mile pace. Not too shabby for a short girl speed walking.

Alright, so I really didnt’ want to run today. Good thing I have Preston around to keep me accountable on the weekends. Haha. I asked him to set my watch to a 9:30 min/mile pace because it was faster than my 9:32 min/mile pace I ran last week. But, I wasn’t even sure I could get 9:32 because I just wasn’t feeling it. I didn’t even drink my normal energy drink because I was afraid I’d run 5 minutes and just want to walk the rest. So why waste the drink. Ugh.

I did take an Excedrine because I had an awful headache.

I started with a 3 minute warmup walk, just long enough to finish one song. Then I knew I had to start running. I started out pretty strong, but I still didn’t want to run. My shins were a bit sore right when I started, but they stopped hurting after a few minutes. Thank goodness.

I was pleasantly surprised when I finished my first mile in 8 minutes 55 seconds. Nice.

I kept up the same pace until around 1.5 miles, then I had to walk. It was rough, I was breathing heavy and my side was starting to hurt. I only walked for probably 30 seconds then I made myself run again. I finished my second mile in 9 minutes 30 seconds. Still in my pace, so I was good with that. During 2-3 miles was rough, I ‘d walk, then I’d run, then I’d walk, then I’d run. I was surprised I finished my third mile in 9 minutes 30 seconds. Boom.

But, I was tired.

I looked at my watch at 3.1 miles (a 5k) and it was 27 minutes 45 seconds. Woohoo! My best time ever! I decided I wanted to try and finish this 4 miles in 36 minutes. Things were looking okay, but then at 3.5 miles I had to walk. I didnt’ let myself walk for very long because I really wanted to see 36 minutes on that watch when I finished.

I really had to kick it into high gear, super, turbo sprinting at 3.8 miles because I was pretty positive I wasn’t going to see 36 minutes on that watch at all.

I was hurting, but I pushed through. I finished my last mile in 9 minute 5 seconds and the entire 4 miles in 36 minutes 59 seconds! Yeeeeaaaaa! Totes saw that 36 minutes on my watch. I was super pumped. And my pace was 9:15 min/mile pace. Whaaaaat! That’s my fastest yet!

When I got back home I showed Preston my pace, he smiled and said, “I set your pace for 9:25.” Haha, that guy. I never even looked at what the actual pace was set at I was just trying to beat the stick man running on my watch.

I’ve decided I’m going to try and get my 4 mile race next week in 36 minutes flat!