athletic shape

Running goals for 2015: UPDATED!

- Mel

I have quite a few things that I will attempt to accomplish in 2015 — graduation, a priority, and derby and personal goals. I have some running goals set for myself too. This post is about the running, however, because this year will be my first half marathon.

Let-The-Games-Begin_huge

I’ve selected a charity as well, and will be running for the National Aviary — an avian zoo here in Pittsburgh that is dedicated to education, conservation, research and respect for birds. Check out my Crowdrise fundraiser page.

I’ve set 2:20 as my goal to finish, based on my finishing times for other races. As its my first half, I hope this is not unrealistic. I’ll reassess this time, of course, as my training and season progresses.

I also plan to do 100 individual runs (not including races), which breaks down into two training runs per week. I know this might seem like not a lot of running, but I need to keep up a solid training base, alongside a crazy derby practice schedule AND doing my strength training through CrossFit. Basically I do a LOT of two-a-days, which doesn’t bother me, and still allows me to have 1-2 days of complete rest (my favorite!). Mileage-wise really depends on my (hopeful) goals to also complete a full marathon this year, but I might be kidding myself. I will also reassess this plan as my derby season progresses. For now, I will set a 500 mile goal for 2015 — which, at about 40 miles per month and 10 miles per week, I think is completely doable.

My 2015 race schedule is really up in the air, since I work weekends right now, but I would like to complete one race per month. Here is what I have on my radar… Suggestions welcome!

RACES FOR 2015
January: Frigid 5 Miler (1/11) DNS, wasn’t prepared.
February: Cupid’s Undie Run Didn’t feel like doing this one by myself. DNS.
March: Just a Short Run 5K (3/28) I am doing SWELL on my running goals! DNS.
April: Cherry Blossom 10 Miler (4/12)
May: Pittsburgh Half Marathon AND 5K (5/03)
June: Stride for Pride 5K (06/07)
July: Liberty Mile (7/31)
August: Rock Hall Half Marathon (Cleveland, 8/23)
September: Akron Relay (9/26)
October: Niagara Falls International Marathon (10/25)
November: I’ll likely do the EQT 10 Miler again Dang it, the date moved! Ugly Sweater Run 5K
December: Christmas Story 10k (12/05)

Have any fun races that I should add to my calendar? Do you struggle with or benefit from doing two sports?

New running goals, new headphones.

- Mel

I need a workout playlist to keep myself motivated to run (hello Marathon relay training!) and endure through tough uncoached workout sessions (I’m drowning out the guys who won’t leave me alone to my weights and machines, for real). But boy do I have a real problem with earbuds. Forget the ones that come with an iPhone — they were definitely not designed with small ear canals in mind; no, not even you “redesigned” iPhone 5 ‘buds. The current pair I use for exercise fit into my ear (thank you, Five Below impulse purchase), but I need to wrap around my headband in order to keep located within my ears area. And then there’s the problem with WHERE DO I PUT ALL THESE WIRES?!

It’s all very #firstworldproblems.

I’ve been looking around for other options of headphones to purchase, especially ones that are wire-free and runner-friendly. Enter: Jaybird.

Jaybird creates state-of-the-art headphones for active lifestyles. The company has a variety of bluetooth headphones that are perfect for every sport and activity! Plus, they have GOOD quality audio, which helps me train away the nagging YOU WILL NEVER BE A RUNNER thoughts that run through my head. Who keeps saying that?!

BlueBuds are the smallest Bluetooth headphones in the world — with remarkable playtime — and are possibly the most progressive headphones available.

Some other sweet benefits:

  • BlueBuds come with multiple size ear buds for comfort AND an over/under-ear fit options. Over-ear lifts cord off the neck, liberating your workout.
  • Do you know about the relationship between white noise and headphones? All other headsets produce listener fatigue. Pure Sound features in these BlueBuds filter white noise out for a better listening experience.
  • BlueBuds have an 8-hour battery life and charge via micro USB.
  • All JayBird products have a lifetime sweat-proof guarantee. I won’t get into sweat issues. If you’re a fitness enthusiast, you know.
  • Compatible with iPhone, iPod Nano and Touch, iPad mini and Android models — basically any bluetooth-enabled stereo device.

Extreme athlete approved… Oh, hey CrossFit athletes:

I bet these would even be awesome for derby, pre-bout warmup too.

Voice prompts? You have my attention, Jenna. With voice prompts, getting to your first track is smooth and simple: put your headphones on, hold the power button and Jenna takes over saying “power on” then “headphones connected.” Push play and your music begins. I’m also digging the music and call controls to change tracks and volume without having to fumble with my iPhone through its armband case.

A special bonus for my 30-something workout warriors: Jaybird is giving away a pair of BlueBuds headphones every. single. day. Giveaway ends December 8, 2013; and one winner is selected daily. You can enter-to-win every day.

Christmas is coming! Wouldn’t these make the perfect gift idea for your fellow fitness enthusiasts! I know these BlueBuds are going on my wish list this year. But I’m definitely entering the daily contest too (Merry Christmas to me!).
30-something approved: BlueBuds retail at $169.95, available in storm white or midnight black, sold via the Jaybird website.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of JayBird.

Dressing according to my 30s: a rant

- Mel

I have a lot of clothes — most of which I’ve collected over the past decade (and a half). Certain pieces that I’ve clung onto for so long that I cannot rid my closet of them. Some are classics, well made, and I’ll probably be able to wear forever. Some are nostalgic (I know, EVERY stylist says to get rid of this crap now). It’s no surprise that I often get extremely frustrated at having “nothing to wear.” 

Which, if you saw my closet, is total shit.

My biggest problem is that I am 34, and I like “cute” very much. But I end up looking ridiculous. I haven’t yet found a way to style these items that don’t make me look too young or like I’m trying too hard (for what, I don’t know). Which is why 90% of the time, I wear basics: jeans, t-shirts, blazers, tanks… then dress them all up with fabu accessories (have I mentioned shoes & jewelry and my weakness?). And that can get boring.

I love to layer, but summer hates me for it (you know, the hot flashes). I also love dresses and skirts — short ones too, since I’m quite fond of my muscular (yet stark white, no tan allowed) legs, but “OMG, you’re wearing that in public?!”. I love prints, and I want to wear my floral and gingham patterns without feeling silly or like I work on a farm. I own a surprising amount of color (mostly blues and greens and interestingly, a bit of orange) because both beiges AND blacks look washed up against my fair skin tone (or is it that I look washed up?).

So, what are the “fashion rules” for women in their 30s? Apparently, “flirty” overrides “cute.” Whatever the heck that means.

Stop telling me to dress “classy” — I have no reason to. I mean, I don’t dress like a slut by any definition, but I work from home; I don’t need a closet full of polished suits and professional wear. Besides, I have 4-5 colored button-down shirts, that again, look ridiculous on me. And for someone who is only 5’4” with a longer-than-average torso, please do not suggest a pencil skirt.

Is there another side to classy attire? Is that why I also read about “sophistication” a lot? Isn’t that the same? Does that equate to investing in labels? Because I spend a lot on my designer jeans, thank you very much.

What is equally frustrating is the suggestion to “wear whatever makes you feel comfortable.” I cannot, justly, exit my apartment wearing running pants and a sports bra every day. Seriously, this is my favorite outfit in all my closet right now because I love how it looks in New Balance athletic wear (and my derby outfits). 

Perhaps my internal struggle lies with my athletic shape (or is it pear? I can’t figure it out) and that clothing is not properly made for my small size… maybe this just doesn’t match with “cute.”

*sigh* Thankfully, I have nowhere to go today…