A Copper Lining

How many photos does it take to get to the bottom of my outfit?  Too many.

After several wonderful days of outside runs I was forced inside thanks to the plummeting temperatures and heavy rain.  It was honestly a nice break from pushing the jogger and negotiating with LBM about how much faster I should be able to run so it can be his turn to run.  I also got the opportunity to wear my Tommie Copper calf sleeves for the longest run yet, 12 miles.

I have been lucky enough to have several piece of Compression wear from Tommie Copper to review over the past few weeks.  I have been wearing the compression shirt under my tops at work.  Before I switched shoes and my heel/ankle started aching I had been wearing my ankle sleeves in the evenings and through the night.  I even wore my knee and calf sleeves at the same time during and after several runs to test how they compared to my typical brand of compression wear.

I wish Tommie Copper came in styles like S'ghetti Girl's socks.

I was feeling a little T while rocking calf sleeves AND a skirt!

Calf and Knee Sleeves:  After having the opportunity to wear the calf and knee sleeves in both recovery and running situations in my experience I felt a boost of energy from the compression while running and I enjoyed the compression of my tired muscles post workout.  The level of compression is not like what I am used to wearing and at first I felt both sleeves were not tight enough however after having them on for a while the compression seemed more noticeable.  I give both these items a thumbs up.  They will be a part of my regular running/recovery wear.

Ankle Sleeve:  I loved this.  Maybe because I used it and my ankle/heel stopped talking.  Positive results often favor a positive review.  Whether it was the copper, the compression or a coincidence I know that before I started wearing the ankle sleeves my mornings were filled with tender slow steps due to my sore ankle/heel.  But after using the sleeves two nights, bye bye sore ankle/heel.  I give the ankle sleeve huge thumbs up and a permanent place in my daily routine.

Compression Shirt:  Just as a positive result garners a positive review, a non-result garners a blah reveiw.  This piece may just have been a bad fit for my body.  Even with my unwelcomed extra pounds the medium that I received just wasn't snug.  It did however want to curl up at the bottom which caused me to be continually pulling it down.  So an item I wanted to wear and be invisible to others kept drawing attention to it's self.  I did not wear this to run as I mentioned the rolling up issue.  Whether there was any benefit to wearing the shirt I have yet to realize one but I do think with my positive result with the other items had this one fit properly I may have noticed more of an effect.  I give this item a question mark.  You'll have to decide for yourself on this one.  This item will probably not make the cut for my regular wear.  Although I will probably give it another try when I work through Insanity again.  Everything deserves a second chance, right?

Over all, I loved the products that fit my body and feel that they helped support me in my active lifestyle.

What piece of Tommie Copper compression would you like to try out?

Do you think rainy days have copper silver linings or do they just ruin your plans?

3 Things Thursday ~ Good, Better, Best Edition

Could they be as Good as...?
Lil Runner is hosting a Aspaeris Pivot Shorts Giveaway.  Now I know faithful readers will remember I am already married to CEP Compression but our relationship is a progressive one.  I am free to see what else is out there.  I'd love to win these just to be able to compare.  Don't worry CEP you know no one will ever be as good as you!

Which one do you like Better?

Our Tough Mudder team name is BioHazard. 

Does that mean we are all crazy sick for doing this?

These are some of the ideas for logos on our shirts that I just found out I have to make.  Boy I would have loved to have known that a little sooner.  So help me out. 

Which one do you like better?  Any other "costume" ideas?

Looking for the Best?
With marathon season in full swing I thought you might be interested in a site to help you fill those race calendars.  Find the Best is a great resource for comparing marathons side-by-side.  Gone are the days when you could wait to register for marathons.  Now we need to have race calendars planned often a year in advance and be clicking Register when the marathon opens to simply get in.  Check out this link Find the Best to help you make those marathon choices.  Happy Racing!

Can you catch Peacefulness?

The past two evening I have been able to get outside for my run.  It has been glorious.  Monday evening I did my 9.5+ mile loop.  I had gotten out of the habit of running this route due to the number of long grades, i.e., laziness.  So when I ran it Monday evening it was a mental game to get myself in a place where I could just relax and allow my body to do what I know it can.  I kept over thinking my form and foot placement.  I was mentally acting as if I was running last 10 miles of a distance event when every little ache or pain is brought to the front of your mind like an annoying song you can't shake.

But somewhere around 25 minutes into my run I started to notice I wasn't thinking about running anymore.  My mind wandered through thoughts of my day.  I noticed that a majestic old tree had finally succumbed to age and been partially blown down.  I thought about how I would handle the obstacles during the Tough Mudder this Sunday.  I actually planned what I would make for supper!  What I didn't think about was the fact that I was running.  And that's how running is for me when I am doing it right! 

After this wonderful run was over and the evening routine with the kids completed we had fish, noodles and veggies in case you are wondering I took a few minutes to stalk my online friends on Facebook.

Let me start by admitting, I am slightly in love with Scott Jurek.  His laid back attitude is enviable and when I grow up I hope I am a bit more like him.  He had posted a link about Alex Honnold's solo of Half Dome HERE. 

Click it.  You won't regret it! 

I'm sorry Scott but I think I might have a new crush. 

In the interview Alex was explaining how his climbing is for him.  Alex talked about how his climbing is not a rush but a calming, relaxing event.  Immediately I thought that those words explained how running especially distance running is for me. 

Whether I am cruising through a forest trail or pushing a jogging stroller along a rural road my running is not about catching an adrenaline high it's about chasing down a peacefulness in the hopes that one day I'll get a strong enough grasp to hold on.

Do you run for the high, the calming effect or for something completely different?

A band of Hippies

Day # 527

Does she ever stop taking pictures?

The Big kid decided to get serious with his girlfriend, the future Vet and bringing her to VA for a short weekend visit.  Since super secret spy husband had to save the world, the visit wasn't the best timing but we still made sure to make her feel welcome.  That's right as soon as she arrived she was helping with chores.  She is such a nice girl she didn't complain at all but jumped right in to help.

Bring me a glass of milk!

We refueled at Panera Beard.  Super secret spy hubbs joined us to chat and get to know the future Vet a little better.  Although it is still a little like pulling teeth to get her to talk, we all enjoyed the brief visit.  Can you remember that nervousness in meeting a boyfriend or your husband's parents for the first time?

Don't take my photo!  My hairs not done.

LBM is beyond needing a haircut.  I have put it off even with a niece who is a beautician because it is always a traumatic event for him when it happens.  But he is starting to look like a bit more like a daughter than a son so I know I'll have to medicate myself knuckle down and get it down with week.  I knew after all the sugar from our Panera Beard visit I would never get him to sit still for it. 

I'm gearing up for round two.

I underestimated sugar crash and should have cut his hair while he napped in the jogger.  Instead I grabbed a few more miles and tried to figure out what our team, of two guys and two girls should dress like for the Tough Mudder this coming weekend.  For some reason a band of hippies keeps coming to mind.

Ideas?  Any one else doing the VA Tough Mudder on Sunday?

It's all about the GREEN

This weekend my super secret spy husband had to play spy which left me to take care of all the things that needed done around the house including an errand to the vet.  Which clearing could have been schedule when he could do it.  Since I am the sucker one who brought him the most adorable kitten ever and talked him into providing shelter to yet another of God's furry friends, I didn't grumble too much when he said I needed to adjust my schedule to do it.  Any runner worth their sneaks would have simply gotten up early to get those miles in but not me.  I just knew that I would be able to sleep in and still get my planned run done. 

Somehow.

Sleep in didn't happen because LBM was up early after hearing super secret spy husband trying to be quiet while getting out the door.  FAIL.

LBM and I get up and instead of slipping out the door while S'ghetti Girl continued to sleep.

What? I would have slipped a note under the door so she wouldn't have felt abandoned!

We started making breakfast and before we knew it we had to leave for the vet.

The less than excited PipSqueak aka Pippa

Less than a hour and piles of $$$$ later we had the same healthy cat but now had a white piece of paper telling us she is healthy AND a little white card telling us when we get to bring her back and give them more $$$$ to make sure she A) stays healthy B) doesn't become a mommy C) ensures we've spent so much on her we won't ever get mad enough to kick her out!

HaHa Mom!  I'm beating you again!

After bonding with Pippa cat I needed to get LBM into the old jogger to attempt to find a route that would allow me to get my miles in since I was needing 8 - 10 miles or at least a hour on my feet.  I was concerned that my regular 8+ mile VA route would be dangerous with the jogger.  Thinking LBM would be getting in the jogger soon we chased each other up and down the hill in the front yard to wear each other him out.   

Look out Dad!  I got this.

But before I could convince LBM that he'd love a stroller ride we got settled down to go, super secret spy husband got home.  He must have been able save the world more quickly than he thought.  Of course, that meant it was chore time and onto the Big Green Tractor.  Into the land of yard work we went.  A place where no one keeps track of time and running is NOT a priority.  to anyone but me  Before we knew it our group chores were done and the light was quickly fading from the sky. 

How ever it happens.  My run always makes my day!

That is how I ended up taking a step back week, running along the road with the old green jogger and no headlamp.  I had almost forgotten about that old bare bones forest green jogger sitting in the corner of the garage.  I forgot how much easier it is to push compared to my new spring-action, fully-loaded, children comfort jogger and with the wind, I was glad for it!

Whatta ya mean?  Dad couldn't just watch me?

I'm just gonna find under here until you're done.

LBM must not have be bothered too much by the lack of thrills.

Although I do think he would have enjoyed having a weather shield.

Numbers

Last evening with the rain pouring outside and the 2 little kids behaving wonderfully I set out on my new-to-me-treadmill for a longish run since my run the night before was cut short due to the Big Kid's run in with the tractor trailer.  11.24 miles and 1 hour and a 1/2 later feeling successful

I was done running. 

The little kids had entertained themselves and grumbled that they wanted more time to play without mom's interference. 

what can I say, sometimes I get lucky

I entered my numbers into my database and was happy to see that I was over 50 miles for the week so far.  With 2 more days of running, a week in the mid 60 mile mark would be in the books. 

Since S'ghetti Girl was off school today we enjoyed staying up 30 minutes later than usual.  We watched Aladdin,

read stories, got bathed, packed for the weekend and played the kids computer math games. 

Icing my busy Big Girl work day with all that and I was 100% tired.

When it was finally time to go to bed LBM asked, "Mommy 1 more minute?"

I was about to reply something to the effect of how he needed to do what Mommy had told him to do when I thought of something I tell myself a 1000 times when I get tired during a long run, I can do anything for 1 minute. 

I reminded myself that I had given myself 90 minutes of mommy time when I said, "Okay.  What do you want to do with your 1 minute?"

Surprised LBM ran to his bedroom and came back with a big book

best "1" minute of my day.

TTT - What the Kids are Up to Edition

I hope she didn't forget her glasses

S'ghetti Girl

Today is picture day number 1 at school for S'ghetti Girl.  There are two.  Because of course parents need two school photos of their child each year, one at the beginning and one near the end.  This photo will be the one in the year book and on Ids.  Mom usually gets to pick the outfit and hairstyle for this photo and S'ghetti gets to be a little crazy with the other one.  This year S'ghetti girl wanted to choose.  I'd say she went school girl and did a pretty good job....except for the mismatched socks.

S'ghetti girl helped LBM on this one....but I don't know why his face is red.  I bet he was running!

Little Bug Man

LBM has been learning....everything.  It's crazy how fast he is picking up things.  His vocabulary has exploded.  He question and answer sessions take for.e.v.e.r.  I don't get away with curt explanations anymore.  Why this?  Why that?  And when he wants to tell me something that he saw or did or understands forget, I just sit done because it's going to be a long story.  Yeah, he is really becoming like his big sister; smart!  His art skills?  They might still have a ways to go.

A tractor trailer, two cars and the grace of God.  No one was hurt.

The Big Kid

The Big Kid had a big day yesterday.   

He lost half a day of pay due to rain.

His car got backed into my a tractor trailer.

Pushed into another car.

Then he got yelled at by his boss.

He has finally come to the realization that just having a job is not all he wants out of life so he is willing to move out of his comfort zone and do things to help prepare him for what he'd like to do a little more long term.

It's tough that some lessons are learned through challenging ways.