Back to the running posts

This weekend I was browsing iTunes and came across a Greatest Hits jackpot.

$5.99 for 16 songs. Hell to the yeah.

It looks like for today's run I'm takin it back to high school (and maybe even middle school?).

Speaking of running, training has been interesting. Since we're focusing on getting faster, I've been running faster than normal 3- and 4- milers exclusively so far, beginning runs with agility work, and finishing them with stretching and ab work. For example, 8 25-second planks with 10-second breaks in between. I just have to keep telling myself that it's making me better.

The cracks and pops I experience in my body after getting out of bed in the morning are epic.

Since I'm going for a certain pace per mile when I'm running, I've decided to dig out and use my Garmin 305 again. Runkeeper's GPS has been gypping me probably a tenth of a mile for each actual mile that I run and that's just not gonna work. I realized that the 305 isn't bluetooth compatible and I don't own a personal computer, so uploading workouts to track my progress becomes slightly obnoxious. And so, I've been pining over the Garmin 220. It's not even almost in the budget.  I've been having an internal struggle of want vs. need. Being a responsible adult is ruining my LIFE!

Drama queen? What's that mean?

...and it's purple!

What running/biking/swimming/general distance tracking app do you use? Have you ever had an issue with it not crediting you with all your mileage?

I'm considering blaming RunKeeper for my not reaching my distance goal for 2014 by 5 miles. But then I decided instead to just not set one for 2015 and move on. Problem solved!

Battle of the (stubborn) brains

I'm pretty certain Netflix is the best $8/month decision I've made. Maybe ever. This weekend I surprised myself by deciding to watch Gossip Girl. I was pretty sure I'd hate it and turn it off after five minutes. But, alas, I'm hooked. Who knew I'd end up hooked on a show about the type of people I can't stand?!

Now I just need a treadmill so I can have an excuse to watch more often. Instead, I've decided to watch while doing "weight-training" in my living room. Yeah, I know. I'm hardcore.

Yesterday someone brought up the fact that if the government ever decided to monitor what people watch on Netflix, they're in trouble. I'm pretty sure I'll be in jail. Among the list of things I've watched are documentaries about Jeffrey Dahmer, Timothy McVeigh, Jonestown, and multiple school shootings. It's safe to say that my entertainment choices are all over the map. The same goes for my music choices. I like to keep 'em guessing.


Yesterday I ordered a dog training aid that I never thought I would.

No, it's not some kinky torture device. It's a prong collar. I have a few friends who've said using the prong collar is how they taught their dog to not walk them on walks. Getting Pippi to walk on a loose leash is one of the big things on my list of things to teach her.

When we went to training class last week, Trainer Ryan went over a technique that is just not working for me, so I enlisted the help of a few friends who have had success with other techniques, and after doing some research, I've decided to try the prong collar. There are many schools of thought on the subject, including people who are very much against this training method and trainers who really believe in it.

Yeah, that'll be the day.

The only reason I'm willing to try this is because Pippi knows her name, she knows to sit when I stop walking and to look at me when I call her name. She knows these things, but is so easily distracted it's ridiculous. Also? She's strong! It'll be so nice to have a dog who can just chill and enjoy a walk. I can't wait for that day! I also found a video just now on a different technique (which doesn't use the prong collar) that I'll try first. I can always return the prong collar if I don't use it, right? Why can't dogs just not be stubborn?


Would the government be interested in your TV choices?

Do you find "mean girls"-esque shows intriguing?

Have you had success training a dog to walk on a loose leash? What worked for you?

Hope and homework

So you know those vegetables I cut up for the 4th of July celebration? Yeah, I forgot them at home. I currently have a fridge full of Ziploc bags with cut up vegetables in them and a container of veggie dip. Want some?

No, the Cool Whip isn't for the veggies.

I did spend the day with my friends and their 7-year-old nephew and this little lady.

Remember the days of bouncing around the living room naked with a fountain ponytail? I wanted to attempt it, but I don't think It'd be half this cute.


Last night Pippi and I started our obedience classes. It was nice to see she wasn't the only one with issues with manners. At introduction time, Instructor Ryan wanted to know what kinds of things each dog needed to work on and when I went down our list of issues, he kept saying "that's easy." Ryan gave me hope...and homework.

This is my new best friend.

How has Hartford training been going? Yeah, not well. I spent the fourth of July being dizzy and then yesterday started out dizzy and ended with a migraine. It's a good thing my training plan allows two rest days a week. I'm still feeling iffy today, but hopefully this evening when I head out for a run, my head will be back to normal. It's been a really long time since I've had a migraine and I was sort of hoping I "grew out" of them. Yeah, apparently that's not actually a thing. I had no Excedrin or caffeinated beverages in the house, so I ate some coffee ice cream instead. It ended up doing nothing for the migraine, but it sure was delicious.

If you're training for a race, I hope you've been having a better week than me. What's on tap for the weekend (besides a long run)?

Training squared

You know what I love? When I'm at work at 2:00 the day before a mid-week holiday and everyone's freaking out about a job of theirs that you're working on. Many times I feel like people think I wave my pink, sparkly magic wand and ta-da...design! The fact that this seems to be the thinking of many means I must be pretty good at what I do, however when something goes awry, I can't just say "sorry, wand's in the shop."

My money-maker. (I love how dirty that sounds).

Do you know what I could do with that kind of power? I'll tell you one thing. If I did, in fact, have a magic wand, I wouldn't be paying $161 a month to have my itty bitty lawn mowed!

I also wouldn't be paying $100 for six one-hour sessions at PetSmart for them to train me how to train my dog to stop being an asshole. Unfortunately, I'm not kidding. Things are about to get real in the Hinkle house, starting with no more dogs sleeping on the bed or barking at strangers on our walks. Thankfully Kari and Kara both have dogs who had issues when they first got them and they have been successful in training them to be good citizens, so I have some moral support and hope.

What do you think, after all the serious training is done, should I shoot for this?

Hartford half marathon training is now in full swing. So far my biggest issue has been consuming enough water. It's sad, really. Something so simple. I'm pretty psyched about my cross-training days, mainly because they can take place inside, where the thermostat isn't set at "hell."

Tomorrow I'm going to be hanging out with my friend to celebrate her birthday and, you know, America's birthday. We're going to a barbecue and my contribution will be a vegetable platter. I know, I'm frisky like that. I figured I'd be all fancy and buy whole carrots instead of the "ready-to-eat" packaged variety. So, I get home to chop up some veggies and when I get to the carrots I realize I don't have a vegetable peeler *womp womp* So much for being fancy. Also, it looks like I'm bringing the vegetables in individual plastic bags because I also don't own a platter. I may never get invited to a party again.

Talk about ugly carrots. At least mine are more
attractive than this.

Happy Independence Day everyone!

My "niece" Embry (my best friend's daughter) and me.

Remember: hydrate to dominate!
(How do you like my PSA?)

Show me the whipped cream

Happy two-hundredth post!

I don't know who I'm saying that to. This is my 200th post (woohoo?)

Anyway...

So, what happened with the weather? It went from 70 degrees to 45 degrees overnight? Is that even legal? I had the window in my room cracked last night and woke up in the middle of the night freezing. I got up to shut it, and Pippi was over on the chair all snuggled up in pillows trying to stay warm. When I got up to shut the window, she came back to the bed and I covered her all up with blankets and she buried her head in the pillows. I have a feeling I'm going to need to get her sweaters for Winter. I've never had a dog who needed to be as warm as me!

Ok, if you want to laugh...a lot, go to etsy and search for "dog sweater". What do you think about this one for Pippi?

Hooooold on a second. Why would you post a picture of your dog making
that face?! I'm not even looking at the sweater anymore!
source

 

Here's another dog that looks totally pissed. The jacket looks warm, though! If I were a dog I'd rock it.

"You better sleep with one eye open, you bastard."source

Pippi doesn't like rain (or bath water) getting in her ears, which is a problem since they stand straight up, like rain funnels.

I wonder if Yoda had some sort of ear gutter system.

Ok, enough of that. But seriously, if you need a laugh, searching for images of "dog sweater" is a good place to start.


Now on to training. I've yet to decide on a half marathon training plan, although I guess whichever one I choose, I can start with the 7-mile long run week and go from there. It looks like most of them don't allow for cross-training days, so I'll be somewhat designing my own. (I need my cross-training in order to stay sane!)

Yesterday I had grand plans of getting in a run and some strength and then having a glass of wine when I got home. Unfortunately, my run was a dizzy one so I didn't want to make the situation worse with wine. Instead, I stopped at Starbucks on my way home for a caramel apple cider. Of course I was in my sweaty gym clothes which always throws people off for some reason. The barista lady asked if I wanted whipped cream on my cider. I guess since I had obviously just come from working out, she was expecting me to say no. But you better believe I want whipped cream on top! Pile it high, please.

I've had this for dessert way more times than I'd like to admit.

I think it's funny that it's assumed people who work out don't eat junk food.

Show me the cookies!

HALF crazy

Well, you guys, it's official. I'm registered! February 18, 2012 I will run my first half marathon in Myrtle Beach, SC, one of my most favorite places on the planet.

Apparently it was necessary to note the location of the ocean in really big letters.

I was looking at the maps for the other two races (full marathon and 5k) and found it funny that the word that came to my mind for the 5k route was "cute".

Don't you just want to snuggle it?

And now, because I'm a Pinterest addict, I want to share with you all probably the most epically awesome thing I've ever found on Pinterest. No surprise, the subject is POOP!

Click the image to make it larger and to get the full
effect of its awesomeness.

I'm still wrapping my head around the amount of training I'll be putting in the next four months to get up to 13 miles (and all the Winter running clothing I'll be needing). Let the fun begin!