Hurricane Parties & Giveaways!!!

I know most of you aren't Floridians and will think I'm crazy, but I'm excited because it looks like Emily (the storm) will be coming to Florida this weekend!

It looks like it will just be a tropical storm, but we might get Friday off work if that thing speeds up.  Plus, I think storms are pretty neat.  It's amazing how a force like that can come together and become so powerful.  I would never wish a big storm anywhere, but a tropical storm or category 1...I'll take it.  My dad and I would always go out and watch the storms blow through.  When I was young I remember tropical storm/hurricane days being days where you hung around the house with the family, dad made pancakes, and it rained a lot.  I know they can be dangerous, but they're kind of exciting too!  We will see what the end of the week and the weekend brings.  Hopefully, it's a free vacay day on Friday!!

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GIVEAWAY!!!

Next Thursday is my 1 year blogaversary!  So, I figured I would host a giveaway!  The giveaway will include:

Nathan's handheld in pink!

RoadID gift card valued at the cost of the Wrist ID Slim

plus a few other goodies!

To enter (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Must be a follower and tell me what your favorite candy is.

2. Blog about the giveaway and leave a message with the link.

3. Tell me about your favorite workout in detail.

4. Tell me: what do you think the best thing about blogging is?

The winner will be drawn August 11.

Giveaway Winner...

...is Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner!  You should go check her out, I love reading her blog!

I numbered the comments 1-13 and entered it into random.org

Congratulations Vanessa!  Email me with your contact information and where I can ship the book!  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

I'm a rule breaker...or something like that AND A GIVEAWAY!!!

Does anyone have a problem following running plans other than myself?  I feel like I always end up altering the plan somehow.  Like Tuesday, when I did my first official run inspired by Run Less Run Faster, my plan was a 4 mile run, 1 mile easy (10:14), 2 miles short tempo (8:39/mile), 1 mile easy (10:14).  I adjusted them to how I saw fit. So I added a little speed to a 9:40 on the warm up (which is my usual warm up pace), did my tempo runs and could not bear the thought of taking it all the way back down to 10:14, so I didn't, but I did cool down back to around a 9:40.  I don't think there's harm in running a bit faster when it's comfortable...right?

Or you know those days when you're tired.  Like, can't move my legs up enough to stop literally pounding pavement until my shins hurt, so the run just needs to be cut short.  I have every intention of following the work out, I just usually alter it to how I'm feeling.  I understand the difference between pushing myself and running when I shouldn't for the most part.  Sometimes, I think it's important to listen to your body.  

And then there's actually running on the days.  If I'm planning on running 14 miles on Saturday morning early, and I can somehow make it work on Friday night...you bet your butt I'm going to get out there if I can get prepared and knock it out.  No harm right?  The miles are done!

On a training note, I'm obsessed with this book:

And yes, rule breakers totally tab pages that are awesome...

If you're questioning what you should do for a training plan, you should check this book out.  It works for all distance races from 5K's to marathons.  The book gives pace charts for each type of run and training plans.  Just be sure to build your weekly mileage so you can start your first long run at 13 miles 16 weeks out from the race if you're going to look into the marathon plan.  It's a great, smart read for all runners in my lowly opinion.

Now for the fun part...MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!!!  You will win your very own copy of Run Less Run Faster.  A winner will be announced June 9th.

To enter leave a comment for each item separately:

1. Become a follower--a must for entry into the giveaway!

2. Blog about the giveaway and leave me a link

3.  Tell me what are your thoughts on following a training plan.  Do you follow the plan every time, or do you listen to your body and gauge your workouts more around that?

4. What race(s) are you training for this fall?

Good luck!!!