It’s Getting Hot in Here {and an Ignite Naturals review}

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with 100 Days of Summer, Challenge, Electrolytes, Hot, Ignite Naturals, No Soda, Running, Weather May 29, 2014

Living in Arizona, I’m used to our hot weather. Really, I don’t think there’s anywhere else I’d rather live.

But running here is ~~hot~~ hard.

We typically don’t see crazy heat til June but it looks like we’re in for a long summer as my run on Tuesday was in above average temperatures.

Before my run

After my run. Not much of a difference lol!

I made sure to hydrate and even tried out a new product by Ignite Naturals.

The box comes with 10 packets of three different flavors-Blueberry, Dragonfruit Lemon Lime, and Tangerine Passion Fruit. For my run, I tried Blueberry.

The instructions say to add 1 packet with 8-12 ounces of water depending on taste preference. I grabbed a bottle of Dasani (16.9 oz), took a swig, and then poured in the pack. My thought process was that after I drank from the bottle, I would make it around 12 ounces of water. I might have over shot my drink. Once I mixed the contents and tasted it, it tasted really good but also really fruity. I blame it on my very scientific way of having made my drink so I don’t think it’s always this way.

I tried it again the next day at track, giving Tangerine Passion Fruit a shot. This time, I took a small sip from my water, then mixed in the contents. Much better. It was still on the fruity side but definitely not as concentrated as the previous mix.

Pluses:
*100% Plant based
*Vegan
*Non GMO
*Gluten Free
*Tasty
*Convenient on-the-go packaging

Cons:
*A litte on the fruity side for me (they do have other not so fruity flavors though like prickly pear and coconut water)

I like trying new types of electrolyte drinks especially because of the aforementioned heat wave that’s started. And also, since I’m planning on going 100 Days without soda, I’m going to need some alternative options.

I was really pleased to see that people were excited to keep me company in my new venture. Some things people are planning on going 100 Days doing:

–eating a bowl of fruit
–no sugar
–sit ups
–no alcoholic beverages

Remember, it doesn’t have to be deprivation of something. You can add things that you struggle doing and hope that after a 100 Days it becomes a habit.

Two more days before we start–join in!

The challenge starts June 1st and ends September 8th.

–What’s the weather like where you’re running?

–What do you think you can go 100 Days doing?

–What type of electrolyte drinks do you like?

Haboob.

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with 10K, Dust Storm, GPS, Haboob, Running, Weather March 26, 2014

Tuesdays I’ve dubbed 10k Tuesdays since that’s the longest distance my running group goes on that day. I’ve been practicing my 10k pace with this and it’s been fun seeing my time improve. I’m actually pretty pleased as I’ve been seeing mid 8s pretty consistently; I’d love to see that in some of my longer runs.

Anyway, yesterday was just like any other. I was home all day with my two little ones and we waited (im)patiently for dad to get home. My phone jingled an alert and I went to check only to see that it wasn’t a regular text message but a weather advisory–a wind storm was approaching.

We get these haboobs, or massive wind storms, right around monsoon season which typically starts around June so to see this in late March was a bit of a surprise. But there it was as I opened the curtains and looked out.

A haboob view from my backyard last summer

I was almost caught in this one driving home last year

I decided I’d still go for my run. If no one from my group was there then I’d take it indoors on the treadmill. I was getting in my 6.2 someway, somehow.

It was a small group but we were there and we were ready.

I warmed up the first mile and was hoping for negative splits miles 2-5 with a cool down the last 1.2. Miles 2 and 3 were going great and then it was the turn around. Helloooo wind. Mile 4 was slower than I would’ve liked but still in a range that pleased me. I decided I’d make mile 5 a good one and picked up the pace.

Now I’ve ran this route a billion times to the point where I can pretty much tell when I reach each mile. In my head, I knew mile 5 was getting closer so I was just waiting for the beep.

Any beep now. Beep? Beep, where are you?

The beep never came and when I knew for certain I had passed the 5 mile mark I looked down at my watch to see what the heck was going on. 4.99 miles. I kept running and looking at my watch waiting for it to beep.

No beep.

I finally clicked to the next screen and then the next and I could see the time passing but no beep and no mile 5.

After clicking away a few times, my watch finally got it together and mile 5 sounded off. 14:10. Ummm…..I hadn’t stopped, slowed down, or paused my watch. 14:10??

I figured the haboob must’ve screwed GPS and I finished my run frustrated at not having an accurate time. Oh technology.

When I got home, I saw on the news that the haboob had actually been pretty intense. I missed it when it was full throttle (luckily) so I hadn’t seen it during my run but on picture it looked pretty cool.

–Have you heard of or seen a haboob? (I seriously can’t say haboob w/o giggling.)

–Has your watch (or technology) ever gone wonky during a run?

I’m leaving my 87 degree haboob weather today for the polar vortex that is happening in Ohio. Gotta see what the hype is all about. You can find me (if you’re looking) on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook 🙂

I Can’t Eat, I Can’t Sleep…Countdown to 26.2!!

Posted by hellyontherun in Giveaway, Marathon, Race, Running and tagged with Giveaway, Marathon, Phoenix Marathon, Rain, Running, Weather February 26, 2014

All I’ve been thinking about is this Saturday.

I’M RUNNING MY FIRST MARATHON!!!

A part of me thought maybe I’d do one in my lifetime and another part of me thought there was absolutely no way. But, I’m TWO days away from attempting it.

This is my last training week. It’s crazy that the past 16 weeks have been in preparation for this moment and I can’t believe it’s coming to an end. It’s bittersweet. I’m beyond excited about the race; but, you’ll never get another first, you know? And that kinda makes me sad. But in a happy way. Am I making any sense?

I know this isn’t the end of anything. I’ve got so many crazy, fun, never-would-I-have-imagined-I-would-ever-do things coming up and I can’t wait to share them with you.

So as far as my marathon is concerned, of course I’ve been obsessing about the weather and everything else race related. I haven’t been too braggy about our beautiful Arizona weather because I know some of you are in the midst of Winterpalooza 2014, but I must admit, it’s been sooo pretty here lately. I’ve been happily running outside the past few days in shorts and short sleeved tops without a care in the world until…..THIS.

whyyyyyy??????

Steady your view on Saturday. Yes, the marathon gods have specifically chosen me to torture and torment. RAIN?? IN ARIZONA?? REALLY??

Of all the days……..

I’m trying really hard to not freak out. I mean, I’ve run in the rain before. Plenty of times.

I am not this runner.

I am this runner.

I totally researched my first marathon. There were several reasons why this one particular called out to me. One, the date. It’s in March when Phoenix is amazing, not too cold, not too crazy insane hot. Yeah…………didn’t think about rain..

The second big thing that appealed to me was this:

Helly likey.

Isn’t that a thing of beauty? I know some runners actually like hills (I’m looking at you Salt!); I’ll deal with them if/when I have to (see RnR AZ Elevation Map) but for my first 26.2 I was hoping there wouldn’t be many to tackle. This looks pretty good to me! : )

So of the two big reasons why I chose this race, at least one is a for sure thing.

Damn you fickle weather!!

–Have you ever ran a race in the rain?

–What unpredictable things have you encountered during a race?