Go Ahead... Say It

I don't think there's any question that runners are absolutely incredible at self-motivation. I tell myself things during distance runs that would be downright laughable in any other situation. When you can go from thinking "oh my GOD my legs are absolutely killing me right now" to "SCREW YOU, VOICE IN MY HEAD - I AM SO MUCH STRONGER AND BETTER AND PRETTIER AND MORE AWESOME THAN YOU GIVE ME CREDIT FOR" - you know you're a runner.

So yes, I am a fan of cocky slogans. I am all in on pushing my body to its limits to prove both myself and any doubters wrong. I think when you're involved in a sport that is so mentally driven, you absolutely have to embrace the "Say I Won't & I Will" lifestyle.

So when Brent from SAYiWON'T got back to me - yes, I was absolutely thrilled. I had been checking out this company for quite some time and I was all in on what they stood for. It's a combination of believing in yourself, constantly striving to be better, and not giving an ISH what anybody else thinks. 

If you didn't see my last post on the Burgh's Pizza & Wing Pub 10k, I wore a SAYiWON'T shirt to that race & I had a couple people ask me where I got it. I absolutely wanted to highlight their brand on the blog because not only does it stand for something I believe in, the clothes are truly comfortable & high-quality, as well. Here are a couple of my favorite items from them:

"I'm Going Pro" shirt (on sale right now for $11.95!)

"Finish Under 2 (Say I Won't!)" shirt ($21.00)

How perfect is this training for my half marathon right now!?

Long Beach Beanie ($19.99)

Also, if you guys use the code sayiwontRUN2013, you'll get 15% off your order right now.. Stock up for your summer runs! You can be all confident & cocky out on the course and look good while doing it!

They honestly have a TON of merchandise through their website which I think is really fun since so many athletic apparel brands have like 4 shirts to choose from and that's it. They have a full men's line, a full women's line, and a ton of accessories that include wristbands, car stickers, koozies & even kids apparel. Everything can be found here if you're looking to check out the full selection.

I honestly have to say that during my last 10k I started feeling really effing sore towards the end & I couldn't help but think to myself "You have SAYiWON'T sprawled across your chest right now, Kelli - Do you REALLY want to give ANYONE that opportunity?"

The answer was clearly no.

Say I freaking WON'T.... and I will.

Keep Running,

Kelli

Burgh's Pizza & Wing 10k Race Recap

After enduring a crazy week last week thanks to Luna's spay surgery-gone-wrong (she's okay now), I was really happy to be running again. I regretfully had to end up missing the Martha's Run 10k last weekend because of her emergency procedure, so needless to say - I was really antsy to get out there for the Burgh's Pizza & Wing Pub 10k on Sunday.

I was pretty pumped because the weather was supposed to be so nice, but it was pretty stinkin' freezing waiting for the race to start. It was completely the wind's fault, though. I've been waiting a REALLY LONG TIME to run without my dang Under Armour, but I had to suck it up and wear it on Sunday.

I know I'm kind of half smiling in this picture, but BOO to wearing Under Armour in April. 

BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Also want to note that I busted out my SAYiWON'T Vintage Tee for this race. I'll have a post on them coming up in the next couple days, but this is currently the comfiest t-shirt I own & I was happy to run in it. It's $26 through the SAYiWON'T website (use code sayiwontRUN2013 for 15% off). It also has their badass mantra on the back, as well.

Fortunately it was pretty sunny outside which was nice because when the wind wasn't blowing you could soak up some of the heat. There were some pretty long lines to pick up race packets when we first got there, but they did a good job moving everyone along. There was a 5k before the 10k, though - so once the 5k started it cleared out the crowd.

Because it was so sunny, I wore my Tifosi sunglasses that make me look like a hot shot. I actually really enjoy running in these glasses though because they don't bounce around, but they also don't dig into the sides of my skull. I believe these are the "Vogel" model, which you can check out here. They come in a nice solid case with a cleaning cloth, too.

The Montour Trail was the venue for the race & it's one of the most popular running trails here in Pittsburgh. I don't do a ton of trail running, but this portion of the trail really made me want to opt for more trail runs than neighborhood runs. The scenery was so beautiful, and this particular portion of the trail sat high and went overtop of a roadway which warranted an amazing view. I also enjoyed the part of the race where you went through this little cave tunnel thing. I'm a sucker for scenery changes like that.

The course was also relatively flat except for just two areas that had a slight incline. Because it was an out and back, though - you could take advantage of downhills on the way back. My only complaint really would be that was because it was so narrow and they did take an out/back approach - you had to run almost in a single file line at points. Once things spread out enough, though, it really wasn't an issue at all. Just a little hairy getting started. Overall, it was a great course & I would actually consider driving the 20 minutes out there just to run it again for fun.

I ran a nine minute pace which I was happy with since I had only gotten to run once the week before this race due to Luna's surgery. Honestly, I felt great after the race which I'm really happy about since my half is in two weeks! My nose did get sunburnt though! Guess it's that time of year that I need to start remembering the sunscreen.. haha.

And big big big kudos goes to Burgh's Pizza & Wing Pub who catered the post-race festivities. Not only was there a HUGE selection (even after both the 5k and 10k races were finished), but everything was so good. From wings to pizza to cold cut sandwiches to a few different kinds of pasta - I was blown away at how above & beyond they went for us runners. It was greatly appreciated! Thanks to all who were involved... I will certainly be doing this run again next year!

Keep Running,

Kelli

Words for a Loss of Words

I'm still so sad about this.

I don't mean to sound insensitive, but whenever I read about most tragedies that happen - I can get through an article without feeling like I'm going to break down. Sure, I'm absolutely heartbroken for the victims & can't begin to imagine the pain their friends and families are feeling - but this time it's is different for me. Every article I read, every news story that comes on my tv... they all bring me to the verge of tears every. single. time.

Seeing the face of little Martin Richard puts a lump in my throat. Hearing about how the parents of Krystle Campbell thought their daughter was alive, only to find there was an identification mix up on the way to the hospital makes me nauseous.

How could this happen?

Runners are a family. We're soulmates. When you run past another runner on the sidewalk, you smile. You nod. You high five. This has affected our happy little community in the most horrific way possible. You might not know a single person who ran Boston personally, but as a runner - you feel like you know every single one of them. At least I know I do.

And the thing that absolutely sickens me about all of this is that a majority of these victims weren't even there to run the race that day. They were there to support their friends and family members who worked so hard to qualify for that sacred race. They were there to show love and support and encouragement, and THIS is what happened to them. This morning, I read about the man who was at the race to cheer on his girlfriend and had to have a leg amputated due to his injuries. You've probably seen his picture. He's the one being pushed in the wheelchair by Carlos Arredondo (the hero in the cowboy hat).

I read things like that, and I can't help but think of the times I've begged my boyfriend and my mom and my dad and my friends to come watch my races. I cannot fathom the grief these runners feel who had a spectator there for them that fell victim to these horrible events. It makes me so sad that I can't even express it. It makes me so angry that I can't even express it.

And Bill Iffrig - the 78 year-old who was finishing Boston in a little over four hours - was knocked down by the blast, got up, refused a wheel chair, and walked six blocks to his hotel. Those stories of strength bring me to the verge of tears, as well. How about the runners who KEPT RUNNING past their 26.2 goal to go and donate blood? It's unbelievable. Heroes came in all shapes and sizes that day.

When I run Pittsburgh on May 5 - every single step I take will be for the victims who were lost, the victims who are injured (both physically and emotionally), and this beautiful, positive community that I am so proud to be a member of. I will slap as many hands as I can to thank the spectators for supporting us during this incredibly difficult time. I can't even imagine how much more I will appreciate every smiling face I see alongside the road that day. Running might not be a team sport, and I say that all the time, but right now - we're all a team. The runners, the spectators, the race directors - we are all in this together.

I'll think of Boston every time I run.

No Matter What - Keep Running,
Kelli

Very hard not to be shook by this.

Thoughts & prayers go out to everyone in Boston today.

5 No-Brainer Ways to Spice Up a Neighborhood Run

I live in a relatively small suburb outside of Pittsburgh known as Crafton, PA. While some don't like the idea of living in a town where you know a vast majority of the population, I truly like where I come from. I grew up in Crafton, and until my boyfriend and I buy a house (hopefully) later this year - it's the place I currently call home.

When the weather isn't 100% unbearable outside, you can generally find me running through Crafton. The town itself isn't very big, but I've mapped out both a 5k and a 10k course (the 10k does involve a bit more "circling the block" than I'd like, though). The nice thing about running in Crafton is the fact that there is a nice mixture of "holy crap" hills, "not-so-bad" hills, & flat land. I've found it to be great in terms of training for both short & long runs just because it's perfect for endurance building.

Because I consider myself somewhat of a "regular" when it comes to neighborhood running, I've listed five easy ways to spice things up when you're starting to get bored. As someone who has tested all of these strategies, I can tell you that they really are a nice way to break up an otherwise typical "neighborhood run". 

1. Don't Obey the Law: After running the same route for quite some time, I realized something funny about the course I chose to take. Because I was so used to not only running through Crafton, but DRIVING through Crafton - I noticed that I totally was obeying "One Way" streets on my runs. One day, I decided that I was going to make an effort to go the opposite way up these streets & it was surprisingly awesome. This works especially well if you're very familiar with an area, because you're able to get a view that you wouldn't normally get when driving through the area.

2. Go Down Memory Lane: If you live nearby or in the area where you grew up, I can't tell you how much fun it is to literally turn your run into a trip down memory lane. Make a point to run past places where you used to hang out, old friends' houses, the swimming pool where you used to spend every summer, etc... Every time I do this, I find that I get so lost in my own thoughts that I end up running longer without even thinking about it.If you want to up the ante - create a playlist to listen to during your memory run that's full of music from the decade you grew up in.

3. Get Funky: While this doesn't specifically apply to running in a neighborhood, it's something that I only do on training runs (not during timed races) to have a little bit of fun. Whether you want to do it with your current playlist or put together a new one - make up a "movement" for a part of every song. It could be something as simple as playing the air drums during the chorus or you could make it more challenging like doing a spin move and a tuck jump when the bridge comes in. Not only is it fun to listen to every song start and think "Ok, what's my move for this song?", but it's also a nice way to add in a little bit of extra "OOMPH" if you get fancy with your cues.

4. Switch It Up: I've found that so many runners JUST run and totally forget how important strength training is, as well. To incorporate leg work into your regular neighborhood run, do lunges down alleys instead of jogging. Anytime you know your approaching an alley, slow down a bit to regulate your heart rate, and lunge the length of the back road. Lunges will not only help you build strength in your legs, but they can also help reduce your risk of injury & improve your balance.

5. Capture It: This is something that I just recently thought of & I'll eventually be chronicling it here on the blog. At some point on your run, choose a spot to stop and take a picture. Try to pick a location with some character, too. Take a photo in this same spot every single time you run. It could be on your warm up, in the middle of your run when you find you typically need a break, or somewhere on your cool down. If you're a regular neighborhood runner, there's a good chance you take the same or a similar path back home when you run. Right now I only have 7 of these pictures, but I am loving this project already. Once the seasons begin to change, you can imagine how interesting it will be to see the transformation.

Keep Running,
Kelli

Nuu-Muu Exercise Dresses

So if you're anything like me, you heard the term "exercise dress" and made this face:

It's not exactly two things I'd ever associate together, but as a girl - I was intrigued. I don't necessarily consider myself "high maintenance" or anything like that, but I am a little bit of a girly girl. Usually I incorporate my love of all things girly into my running career through things like sparkly pink headbands and obnoxiously loud animal print leggings.

But a dress? That's an interesting concept.

Well Nuu-Muu brought it to life with their exercise dresses designed for women on the go. They're available in a bunch of fun patterns & I was given the opportunity to try out one of these little gems for myself.

I'm wearing the "Breeze" dress. Like all of the classic dresses, it runs $70.00 on the Nuu-Muu website. Also, I'm just wearing a pair of black yoga pants underneath. Those aren't attached to the dress or anything.

The dresses are honestly INCREDIBLY comfortable and you could easily spend the whole day in it unlike some other uncomfortably tight workout gear. The fabric is a lycra/polyester blend that is very soft and stretchy, but it's also not too thin which is great. It's also not a static-prone fabric which is a FANTASTIC because I have been seriously struggling with static cling lately.

The length of it is nice because it's not too long to where it looks old lady-ish, but it's also not so short that you're constantly worrying about your butt hanging out. I would recommend wearing yoga pants or leggings or shorts under it, though, just because there are slits on the sides that could allow for a little peek-a-boo action.

Another thing that Nuu-Muu has tended to focus on is the fact that they wanted to make a dress that was flattering on every figure. Not only does the fabric help with that, but the cut of the dress itself does, too. I have to note, as well, that there's no pulling or digging in the sleeve area, which is nice because so many sports tops annihilate your armpits. That sounds graphic, but you get my point.

Here's the slits on the side that I was talking about. Because of them, you're really able to move comfortably in the dress. Running, doing yoga, going to the grocery store - whatever. This is great for any active woman on the go, really. You'll be comfortable and feel good in what you're wearing no matter what you're doing - and I think that's really important.

Cute detailing with the keyhole in the front and the Nuu-Muu tag in the back. The higher back also allows the dress to cover most sports bras, too.

Keep in mind that Nuu-Muu also carries dresses for little gals & an upgraded pocket dress with a pouch in the back that makes carrying small items around with you easy and convenient. If you're interested - check out the Nuu-Muu website and gear up for whatever Spring activities you've got going on. 

Keep Running,

Kelli

Gettin Tipsy at Just a Short Run

As Pittsburgh attempts to enter Springtime 2013, I went ahead and ran the 13th Annual "Just a Short Run" in North Park over the weekend. As a popular training run for the Pittsburgh Marathon, this was an absolutely HUUUUGE event here in Pittsburgh. I ran the 8.1 mile course, but there were also 5k, half marathon, & 30k courses. The 8.1 mile alone had nearly 600 participants.

Instead of shirts, you got shorts for this run which was kind of cool. There were also "Feetures" socks in the goodie bags, so that was a nice little surprise, too. Usually it's just 6,000 pamphlets and a rubber bracelet.

I have to commend Elite Runners & Walkers for putting on a very organized race given the size of this event. With over 2,500 participants overall, it could have been a serious mess. My mom came with me to spectate and we were able to park, board the shuttles to the start line, & quickly get back to our car after the race. It was also a beautiful day (even if it was kind of chilly in the morning), so that helped make it a nice experience overall.

I was pretty happy with my time on this and came in right around my goal. My clock time was 1:17:05 but my chip time was 1:16:43. This was a really good training run for the half (which is just about a month away now), so I was happy. I don't know what the hell I did to my foot, though. It still feels like the top of it is slightly bruised. I honestly think when I retied my shoe to put the chip on it, I made it too tight & ended up paying for it. I was sick all last week with some horrendous stomach bug thing, so being able to pull this off without running my normal 5x a week while sick was a big accomplishment for me. I feel like I'm finally at the running level I've wanted to get myself to for the past 6 months or so. It feels really good & I am so excited for my upcoming Spring & Summer runs.

I have to say that I really enjoy the North Park course, too. If you're getting into running in Pittsburgh - this is just a really nice place to run. The course is a little bit hilly, but there's a nice little lake and some pretty wooded areas to run through. I also like that people can bring their dogs there because I genuinely enjoy seeing pups on my run :)

In other news, I wore my Tipsy Runner shirt to this run and I wanted to share them with you guys since I really love their brand. I did, however, decide to run with my track jacket on just because it was prett-y freakin cold on Saturday morning. But like a good review blogger, I took pictures beforehand!

Because let's be honest, runners love their alcohol.. Have you BEEN to a half marathon after party? The proof is in the pudding. This is the "Runner's Trio" shirt & it's available in both short sleeve (which I'm wearing) and long sleeve. I think the martini with the fishnets is my personal favorite. She's totally crushing it - look at that form.

I have to note that this shirt isn't just a flimsy little tech shirt. It's a very high quality athletic shirt and has a more breathable mesh-like paneling down the sides (which you can see here). This runs $35.00 on the Tipsy Runner website which you can check out here. They also have shirts for guys, so if your boyfriend or husband is a work out buff & a wine-o, they have him covered, too :) It's a truly comfortable shirt & it washes up nicely, too. If you're doing a wine country half (which is on my list for next year) - this would be the perfect shirt for it!

And after everything was all said & done, YEP - I sure did have some sangria in my Tipsy Runner wine glass :) These are also for sale on their site for $12.00.. This would make a really cute gift, too!

Thanks to both Tipsy Runner & Elite Runners and Walkers. Hope you're able to start running outdoors this week so you can stop choking on the sweaty stench of the dude next to you on the treadmill at the gym! Too much? I'll go now.

Keep Running,

Kelli