Running

Currently my arms are so sore from this morning’s CrossFit class I can’t lift them over my head. Should make washing my hair in the shower rather interesting… In non-fitness news, do you remember when I tried StitchFix a while back and totally loved it? If you’re not familiar, StitchFix is a service that let’s you fill out a style profile online and then they ship you several fun and fashionable pieces right to your house so you can try them on with things already in your closet. Whatever you don’t like, you just pop in the return shipping envelope and send back. Anything you do like, you pay for online and get to keep. Last time I did StitchFix, my box was full of pretty awesome stuff, including this dress that I love and wear all the time. I got my second Fix in the mail yesterday, and I have to say, I was kind of disappointed. After having such a good experience the first time around, I was really unhappy with the styles and pieces in my second shipment. Nothing was very “me.” Here’s a glimpse at what came in my fix: Black and White Dress I love black and white things, in fact, a very large part of my closest is black pants and black and white tops, but there was just nothing flattering about the way this dress fit…at all. It makes me look short and squat. Jeans and top I actually really liked the jeans, they just didn’t fit well. What you can’t see in this picture is just how tight they were across my thighs. Fairly certain I wouldn’t have been able to walk up steps in them. The shirt itself is actually sort of cute. It’s not something I’d normally pick out, but I kind of liked the colors. I can’t really wear button down shirts though, because they never, ever lay correctly and I always get that awkward button popping across my chest. Cardigan Sweater Thing I don’t even know what you call this, but man did I hate it . I don’t do billowy flowy clothes. I like things that are clean cut with crisp lines and this top was the exact opposite. Unfortunately, this shipment was just really off the mark style wise, which really bummed me out since I liked it so much the first time. I ended up not keeping anything. I should say that I’m not totally writing off StitchFix entirely after this. I did have a really good first experience, so I think I’ll probably just wait a few months, update my online style profile a bit and hope the third time’s a charm. If you’re interested in trying StitchFix for yourself, you can sign up here to try it out! The post StitchFix Take Two appeared first on Jess Runs.

This has absolutely nothing to do with Ultrarunning--much of what I post here doesn't--but I was proud of this step project in a new flower bed and wanted to brag.Below is the finished project. The stone at the bottom is a large natural slab of limestone from my property. The others are purchased natural flagstone (origin unknown). Below is the "before" shot, showing the behind-the-scenes landscape timber framework to support the stone steps. The main key was leveling the cut timbers front-to-back and side-to-side. Then it was like stacking Legos.

A few weeks ago, to celebrate the Paris Marathon, I posted some of the most commonly used* runners phrases translated into French. Continuing in that linguistic vein, I thought it might be nice to put together some more phrases, this time intended to break down the language barrier between runner and non-runner. So feel free to show this to your long-suffering wife, husband, partner, colleagues, postman, or anyone else you like to bore and bemuse with talk of PBs, Splits and marathon-ness. We say: “It’s a well-known scientific fact that you should change your running shoes after 500 miles to avoid injury” We mean: “The shoes I like have just been released in a new colour” We say: “I really maxed my lactate threshold during last night’s 5k tempo” We mean: “I went for a run last night” We say: “I tried for a negative split, but overcooked it early on and now my ITB hates me” We mean: “I went for a run last night” We say: “I went for a run last night” We mean: “Okay, you caught me out. I spent the evening in a seedy hotel with a trio of broad-minded Swedish cheerleaders and a large tub of brandy butter” We say: “I think we deserve a holiday. I’ve heard that has some lovely beaches, and Tripadvisor.com described it as one of the most romantic getaways in the world” We mean: “I’ve just spent three hours looking at Google earth, and has some awesome trails” We say: “The marathon stick and foam roller are both excellent tools for achieving self-myofascial release, and will help prevent injury” We mean: “I know these things look like giant sex toys. Stop looking at me like that” We say: “This new head torch has a really wide throw and an output of 300 lumens. I need it for my night runs to avoid tree roots, potholes and low-hanging branches” We mean: “This new head torch has a really wide throw and an output of 300 lumens. I need it for my night runs to avoid tree roots, potholes and low-hanging branches. But mainly I’m just scared of werewolves.” We say: “I realise that an £80 entry fee might sound expensive , but you have to appreciate that it’s famous for being a really technical course while still retaining fantastic PB potential” We mean: “There’s a race. I heard that last year they had some really nice fudge in the goody bags. I like fudge” We say: “So anyway, how are you?” We mean: “I really want you to ask me about this medal I’ve been wearing for the last three days” * if you’re a bit odd. Lovely readers, a gentle reminder that you can follow me on the twitter (@borntoplodblog) or on my new-ish Facebook page. Other contact details are in the contacts section above, strangely enough. More from The Running Bug Dictionary of Running Words pt 1 Thunderstruck pt 1 FThunderstruck pt 2 Get Out of My Way!!! Like most other hobbies, sports and warlike Star Trek aliens, running has its own lexicon. (or, My Long-Winded and Largely Off-Topic Race Report of the Adidas 24hr Thunder Run 2012) (or, The Second Instalment of My Long-Winded and Largely Off-Topic Race Report of the Adidas 24hr Thunder Run 2012) A lot of stuff has been written about how we interact with our fellow runners. New to the Running Bug? We're the online community for runners with over 120,000 members! Join today - it's free and easy - and you'll get access to all our running events, training schedules and advice, shop, groups, blogs and forums. You will also be able to share and communicate with the running community in bugmiles and the great debate. JOIN THE RUNNING BUG HERE! It's free and takes just 30 seconds.

I did it!! Ohlone 131 miler in 49:45.This was my 10th year running 100 or 131 miles before the race and finishing the last 50k of the Ohlone with the official race. I want to thank my awesome pacers Kathy D'Onofrio who ran 64 miles total both the night section she is always a rockstar!! Martin Whitcomb who ran out to me in Sunol on my 3rd trek back. Also thanks to Jerry Roninger for his help shuttling Kathy back and bringing out Truman and Skye to pace me. Oh and Julia who ran two miles and brought me ice!!I had a great run and felt strong the whole way. Fruitarian power all the way!!Making a wish!!Jumping for Joy on Rocky Ridge trailHandstand mile 78 at the seahorseRIP Rocky Ridge at his memorial tree Truman pacing me!!Rose peak #4

First off, thanks for all the wonderful comments! I feel like I've made a whole slew of friends here lately. This challenge has been a blast! Not sure how much longer I will post pics, maybe I'll try posting my food log from sparkpeople or something. I like the extra bit of accountability, and I think its spurred some good conversation.One thing this challenge has reinforced for me is the belief that if you want a diet to work, you have to make a diet that will work for you. Some people avoid sugar like the plague because it sets off binges, which it doesn't for me (I just don't eat it because it isn't good for me and its loaded with empty calories), some people avoid red meat (I don't eat much but I will have a steak now and again). I think yogurt is mostly gross but some people love it for breakfast - you get the idea.Figuring out what you like, what amount of cooking you are willing to do, and what foods allow you to lose weight successfully seem to be critical. They may also be subject to change over time. I love to cook and am very good at planning our meals and doing weekend prep work. The personal trainer at work is after me to set up a side business selling prepared meals. Its a pretty good idea. I know he & his wife eat out all the time because neither have the time or inclination to cook. He figures it would be cheaper to outsource to a personal chef than eat out as often as they do. Maybe that will be my third career!Anyway, today's exercise was Shaun T's Rockin Body Disco Party. That guy cracks me up - I was really giggling at some points wth all his gyrating. :-) I can't do the moves half as well as anyone in the video (of course!) but I was up & moving for 40 minutes, so its all good.Food - do I even need labels any more? I eat the same thing every day!Dinner was lentil soup with chicken kielbasa, roasted green beans, and a fudgecicle.

What if you could torch a bunch of calories just sitting around? It turns out you can, but there's a catch.ACTIVE.com

Eating before a run can help or hurt your workout. Decode your perfect pre-run fuel plan with this advice. ACTIVE.com

If you haven't prepared well for a marathon, should you still run it? Find out if you've done what's necessary to run the distance well. ACTIVE.com

Runners who already follow a structured training plan are closer to their 5K potential than those who only run easy. But, a PR is still possible for advanced runners; here's what to do. ACTIVE.com

Avoiding gluten doesn't mean you have to lose out on energy. These dishes are packed with plenty of carbs to fuel your runs. ACTIVE.com