Tiux Compression Socks review

I had the awesome opportunity to try out a pair of Tiux compression socks over the last few weeks. After wearing them during and after my runs, I have nothing but positive things to say about them. I'll start with the company first.

Tiux is a small, start-up company that sells premium, technical compression socks at an incredible affordable price(only $35!!!).
They skip the middleman process and eliminate wholesalers and distributors by selling directly online to their customers so there's no inflated mark-ups like other brands.

Not only are the reliable, high quality compression socks, they're also for a great cause. Tiux donates 1% of all it's profits to MAGS(Mines Advisory Group) to help save lives and protect communities from landmines and other weapons remaining after conflicts.

 I am in love with the bright pink and yellow. They're also available in black/yellow and yellow/blue.
They're surprisingly warm, which is perfect for fall/winter running but also breathable since I'm a heavy sweater when I run. My favorite thing about these socks would probably be the padded footbed. It almost feels like a normal sock then the rest of the sock is stretchy and fits like a glove. They're my new go-to sock for recovery after a long run or keeping my legs from feeling fatigued especially during a fast paced run.

For the cost and value of these socks, I highly recommend you give them a try. I'm hosting a give-away on my Instagram for one lucky person to try them for free!

The Puppy Run!

I am all about running for a cause and supporting charities. I believe that if you have the means to make a difference, then make it happen. I use my Charity Miles app on my Iphone often and ran my first marathon raising $1500 for the American Cancer Society.

So when I read about the Puppy Run, I absolutely loved the idea. It's a family and/or dog-oriented swag filled virtual run that supports a canine-related charity for dogs in need. A portion of every registration will make a huge impact on those pups lives.

In case you've never participated in a virtual run, here's how it works. Instead of all the runners meeting up in one location, the run can be done anywhere on your own time. Participants register online (registration is open now until 5-13-15 at 11:59PM or until sell-out). You can run it solo, with a team of people, or with a child or dog.

Once registration closes, the swag is mailed out and arrives straight to your doorstep!! Then register to submit your results, qualifying you for awards and prizes.
Get out and run your selected distance then submit the results online. It's that easy! Let me tell you about the sweet things that come with the run...

There's distance options of a 5K, 10K, or 1/2 marathon and also has registration options for kids and dogs with their own specific swag items.

*All adults receive a custom shirt, finisher medal, bib, and sticker.

*All kids receive a draw-string bag, folder frisbee, finisher medal, bib, and sticker.

*Dogs receive a bandana, collapsible water bowl, and doggy treat :)

 

Soft t-shirts for adults

 

 

 

5K finisher medal

 

 

 

10K and 1/2 finisher medals

 

 

Kid swag

 

 

 

Dog swag

 

 

 

This is a fantastic opportunity to get out with a group of friends or family to enjoy the spring weather and help make a difference in a dog's life. Or take your pooch out for some exercise and some bonding time. I know my 4 year old daughter will love this!

 

 

You can register at  www.thepuppyrun.com

 

 

Save 10% of the registration cost and use my special code, jennifer10 when you checkout.

 

 

So sign up, get out and run, and celebrate dogs everywhere with The Puppy Run!

 

 

 

photo from thepuppyrun.com

 

 





 







Chicago Lakefront Ultra-marathon 2015 recap

So I did say I wasn't going to do any long distance running this spring after an exhausting year of training in 2014. As soon as I heard that Meghan(Maxfitgirl29) was running it, I began to reconsider. I decided to run it with her, but promised myself I wouldn't train hard with the 24-26 mile training runs and back to back long runs. So that's what I did. I got a couple 20 milers under my belt and stayed consistent with 40-50 miles a week the entire winter. I felt great until I got sick with the stomach bug just 3 days before the race. I woke up in the middle of the night and it was just coming out of both ends(sorry tmi)

I couldn't keep water down and it didn't take long before I got so dehydrated I almost blacked out. I got muscle cramps and couldn't even open my hands. My husband took awesome care of me that night. I probably should've gone to the ER for some IV fluid replacement but I eventually started keeping Gatorade down and rested the entire day. It lasted about 24 hours, but I had zero appetite after the bug wore off and was forcing myself to eat and fuel up before the ultra. I ran a 3 mile shake out run and felt pretty decent so I decided to go through with the 31 mile run on Saturday. Unfortunately, Meghan got the same thing I had and couldn't run. Thankfully, I had Brenda running with me so I had some good company.

The morning of the ultra I drove myself out to the north side of lakeshore drive in Chicago where the race started. My stomach was just feeling weird. It was gurgling around and I was texting my husband worried about not being 100% for the race(I forced him to go to work that day, I'd feel too guilty having him wait around for me)

Love reppin my Oiselle singlet at events

 

I met up with Brenda and we were off at 8:30am to begin our journey of 31 miles. We kept it slow and steady between 9-10 min/mile pace. The only goals I had were to finish my second ultra and get back to running asap after. It was a 5 mile out and back course. The first 5 miles were amazing with the wind to our backs. But feeling that wind pushing us and watching the sand blow across the path we knew we were in for a hell of a headwind on the 5 miles back.  Sure enough, it was what we anticipated. The headwind was pretty brutal, almost breath taking. I kept my head down and just pressed on. My stomach seemed to be holding up ok until I took in my first gel. It was nothing new, the same GU Roctanes I always take, but my stomach didn't take a liking to it and starting having issues with cramping and bloating. I stayed away from my gels the rest of the race and really could only stomach a couple handfuls of peanut M&M's and water.

 

 

About half way through, my right hip got tight which was pretty irritating since it seems my legs like to play tricks on me during long distance races. My stomach eased up a bit close to the 20 mile mark, but my energy plummeted with the lack of fuel I had. So either way I was screwed. Take in fuel the right way and suffer stomach cramps, or don't do it and suffer muscle cramps. I'm used to running on tired legs thanks to my summer training last year, so I chose the muscle cramps.

 

 

Brenda was doing awesome and I felt bad for holding her back. With only 2.5 miles left, I stopped at the last water table to drink and insisted she go ahead of me and finish strong, which is what she did. I took off a couple minutes after her and the last couple miles were a lot of just trying to shut my brain off and get to the finish line. I was running on fumes and had nothing left. I managed to get to the finish line and re-unite with Brenda and her husband. I was so happy it was done and I felt proud of pushing through despite all the setbacks I had. Ultra #2 was done and I am already thinking about doing it again in the fall. So proud of Brenda for becoming an ultra runner and incredibly grateful I had her company. My official finish time was 5:33:01, 7th place in my age group and 86th place overall out of 185 runners.

 

 

 

 

 

Ultra marathons are probably my most favorite thing to run. They're laid back, fun, and it's absolutely mind blowing to see what your body can do. It's about enjoying the scenery, friends, and doing the impossible. No doubt they hurt like hell, but when it's over I feel so strong. I want to thank everyone who texted me or supported me especially through my Instagram account. Now I begin my Erie Marathon journey and after a long winter of easy running without my Garmin watch, I'm ready physically and mentally to train hard and get strong!



 



Why do I run?

Probably the single most asked question I receive is why do I run?
"Isn't it hard?"
"It's so boring!"
"You're so skinny, why do you do it?"
"I only run when being chased, ha!"
"You think running is fun?!"---crazy look on face

If you're a runner, I'm sure you've heard the same things. A lot of times when I'm asked this question, I really don't know what to say. I'll hesitate and I know why I do it, but I can't elaborate into words why I do it day after day. Maybe that's because running is more of a feeling then anything else. I'm not the greatest at expressing feelings either, so usually I'll just mutter the words, "because I want to."

When I started running years ago, it just kind of happened. I didn't wake up one day and say to myself, "I'm going to run and do it everyday until I'm good at it!"
I've always had an itch inside of me to be active. I was a tomboy growing up and loved playing basketball or football with the boys in the neighborhood (including my now husband)
As a kid, I was shy, unpopular, and had a kind heart. These things combined ultimately killed me throughout school. I was picked on, sat by myself at lunch, and never had any girlfriends I could talk to or hang out with. I so badly wanted to join a sports team to connect with others and cure this itch I had deep inside. I was getting in trouble in school and failing classes. My junior high school counselor even wrote a letter to my parents calling me a derailed train with a dim future.

So when the time came when I was allowed to join a team, I tried Poms in 8th grade. Found out I wasn't pretty enough, so I dropped out. At that time, I had started running around my neighborhood by myself a day or two a week. I'd usually sneak out of the house with my Walkman cassette tape player and just zone out while I trotted down the street. I was by myself with no one judging me or telling me I couldn't do it. It was liberating.

9th grade I tried the track team, but that lasted one day and I was forced to drop out then too.

10th grade I practiced with the softball team and was pulled aside by one of the girls and was told I probably wouldn't make it because, "I was too skinny and not strong enough to handle it."

I knew I wasn't a natural athlete. No one in my family was active and as a kid, it was hard to get out. I turned to running even more during this time to allow myself to decompress from school, from the lack of friends, and the lack of confidence I had.

The more I ran, the more self-worth I gained. I wasn't good at it. I had no idea what pace I was running or the miles I put in. I wore cheap tennis shoes and had to take a lot of walk breaks. I couldn't breathe, my knees hurt, and I questioned why I was doing it many times. All I know is when I returned to my house as tired as I was, I felt stronger...inside. This was a feeling I wasn't used to and it felt so good. Between 11th and 12th grade in high school, I started to turn things around. I stopped caring what others thought of me. I started getting A's and B's and taking honor's classes. I developed self-esteem and was starting to understand what it was to take care of my body and my mind. This derailed train graduated with Honor's and enrolled straight into a nursing program in college. I took running with me the entire way.

Maybe it's a coincidence that running changed me for the better.
Is it hard? Hell yes it is!
Does it hurt? Like a motherfucker.
Isn't it boring? It can be, but if it is all the time, you're doing it wrong.
You're skinny, why do you run? Who said it was about being skinny???
I only run when being chased? Maybe you have something chasing you and you can't see it...
You think running is fun?  When you put in the work and your body adapts, it does become fun. Imagine no pain, no shortness of breath, and the feeling of flying----this takes time and work. You have to earn it day after day, month after month, year after year.

We now live in a world were the majority of people are overworked and are used to having things made convenient for them. Being an active, healthy person in a world like this, will definitely make me stand out. Whether it's in a positive way or a negative one. That's why I turn to others who run and connect with them through social media or at local races. Before the days of Instagram and Daily Mile, I really felt like an alien, like the oddball. Now I see runners are out there...everywhere and it's a hell of a community to be a part of.

After 15 years of running, I don't ever see myself giving it up. It's a part of me. You ask me why I run, I'll ask you why you piss in the morning when you wake up. To me, it's natural and a normal part of my day. I eat better, I feel better, and hope to be a positive influence to my 4 year old daughter as she grows in a world of convenience and lack of people taking care of themselves. Running teaches us that things are hard and do hurt...but is that an excuse to quit and throw in the towel. NO! Persevere and push through it. Take on challenges and allow them to change you and make you stronger. Then take on a harder challenge and see what you can do. Such is life. You'd be surprised at what you can do and how it changes you for the better.

Never stop running

A new year and fresh start!

"An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. When life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means it's going to launch you into something great. Just focus and keep aiming...."

This year, I'm aiming for progress not perfection. Run by feel and not pressure myself by numbers on a watch. I think it's taken a couple months to feel "normal" again after my God awful marathon in November, but for the first time since then, I'm looking forward to what the future holds for me this year as far as running is concerned. I'm not going to pressure myself with those two, bold letters...BQ.

I believe it will happen when the time is right. I know I have it in me, but I think last year I just put way too much pressure on myself to achieve it. Running has always been something I looked forward to and enjoyed. Training as hard as I did last summer and obsessing over numbers on a training plan really kind of made me dread the thought of it. This time, I'm running by feel. I'll write my own training plan, but the only things that will be in concrete are my long runs and ONE speed word session a week. Every other run will be whatever my legs feel like doing that day. Whether they want to run a 9 min mile or a 7 min mile. I'm going to log my runs and thoughts into my Believe Journal every day and really just get in touch with myself instead of ignoring how I feel. I'm not treating myself like a robot anymore.

I'm already starting to look for races to do this year. I definitely want to run another marathon and 50K ultra. I'm hoping to do Chicago again and get in the lottery that will hopefully open up in February or March.  I want to get out and explore new running routes and places. Maybe run with other people more often. Spring can not come quick enough for me!

I'm totally excited to be a part of the 2015 Nuun Ambassador Team. I'm a nutrition and hydration geek and anything that is going to enhance my running and allow me to connect with like-minded people, I'm there!  I'm also looking forward to continuing to represent the Oiselle Team, which is a HUGE honor. Being on a team of such inspiring women means the world to me and not mention, the super cute clothes are just an added bonus :) I can't wait for my next race so I can sport that singlet again.

I'd like to extend a shout-out to my mother, who just joined the blogging community. Along with my 2015 goals that I mentioned here, I'm going to also try to establish a closer relationship with God(another reason I love running, because that's when I feel closest to Him)
If you're interested in a more spiritual blog, check out hers and send her some love ----   http://kathyayers.wordpress.com/

Here's to 2015 and some amazing miles ahead. Thanks to everyone that takes the time to read my blog or follow me on Instagram. Looking forward to following everyone's journey!