My Pros and Cons List and Things I Do Not Understand About Running.

IT WAS COLD yesterday morning.  Utah is pretty dramatic about it’s temperature changes!  These cold temperatures feel a million times better than running during the hot months (this portable heater of mine makes me pretty hot easily).

I did the first 4.1 miles on the treadmill, the rest outside and some strength work afterwards at home.  Erinn and I were discussing yesterday (well, in the comments… I consider our chats in the comments like we are friends talking over breakfast) about how our paces are faster outside vs. on the treadmill.  Who else is this way?  Or are you faster on the treadmill than outside?  I currently put my treadmill on a .5% incline so maybe that is why I am slower on the treadmill compared to outside.

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Knox was thrilled to be wearing a winter coat.  He is just like Andrew and wants to wear shorts and t-shirts year round.

Andrew calls Brooke’s pink jacket her ‘Janae Jacket’ because he thinks I buy her clothes that are similar to things that I wear (or want to wear).  I mean I only have like 4 jackets like this pink one…

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I didn’t take that many pictures yesterday (WHO AM I!?!?) but I do have a few…

I really missed candy the past 6ish months but happy to say that some things are delicious again.  Maybe it is just Halloween themed candy that I am really liking again.  Holiday themed candy is always the best.

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Brooke was extra sleepy/cuddly last night.

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Kids in bed and some hanging out just the two of us.

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The best bedtime snack:

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And some pre-bed time Halloween prep.

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I had a reader ask the other day for a pros and cons list of my fake eyelashes.  I’ve had them for 4 years now and I also had them for a few years when I was in my early 20s… clearly I have a thing for them.

Pros:  My make-up takes me about 1.5 minutes in the morning.  I don’t do anything to my eyes (I also tint my eyebrows once a month) and just add on some foundation, powder and lip gloss and I’m out the door.  I LOVE never having to put on mascara (I am also terrible at that kind of stuff).   A lot of people ask me if they cause my eyelashes to fall out… in my experience they do not but that might just be because my girl is really good.  Now I have no idea what my eyelashes look like after this long of having them BUT my girl glues the fake eyelash to the actual eyelash.  The fake eyelash falls off when the actual eyelash falls out naturally.  Each time I go she still has a million eyelashes to glue on the new fake ones too so that is why I don’t think I’ve lost any more than I naturally would. I’ve gone to the girl I go to for four years now and I feel like we are best friends (I hope she feels the same;).  We can talk about everything so I look forward to my visits big time.

Cons:  They cost mula… About $55 per month for my eyelashes (I explain how Andrew and I divide our fun things up money-wise in this post).  In the beginning it is hard to get used to not getting them wet or scratching your eyes etc.  When I wash my face I wash around them really well rather than getting them wet because that makes the glue not as strong.  I worry whenever it starts raining while I’m out on a run that they are all going to fall off;)  Those are the only cons I can think of besides the fact that they are probably my biggest addiction.

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Oh, and I have four more pictures from our raspberry picking too:

*Knox is SUCH a people person.  He just loves talking to people.  While we were at the berry patch he was picking berries but then he just wanted to go over and talk to the lady that runs the place.  He had all sorts of questions to ask her and made sure to tell her about his plans to be a policeman/lifeguard/army man.

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*Knox, Brooke and Andrew ask for another dog at least once a day;)

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*Hydration is key when spending that much time in the sun picking berries.  We also saw spiders, bees and a snake while we were out picking and they didn’t even phase Brooke.  She was on a mission.

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*Raw honey… does it get any better?!  This on Dave’s Killer Bread is something else…

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There are a few things about running that I swear I will never understand.  I’ve tried to understand them for the almost 2 decades of running that I’ve been doing it but who knows if I ever will…

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1.  How one day of running can feel like rainbows and skittles and like we are at the top of our fitness game and then the next day we can somehow feel like our legs are tree trunks.  How can our perception of runs be so completely different different day to day and week to week?!

2.  Something I would love to understand more about running… what portion of our running is innate ability vs hard-work?!  How much of running is our work vs. our genetics?  I always wonder this.

3.  How in the world running gives me more energy.  How is it that I feel more energetic on the days that I get up really early and sweat for an hour on the treadmill or roads compared to my rest days where I sleep a bit longer and hang out on the couch!?  You would definitely think it would be the opposite way!

3a) How in just about 36 minutes each morning I can go from ——> ‘I DO NOT WANT TO GET OUT OF BED, I am so tired… why the heck do I do this’ to feelings of gratitude for a long list of items (one of them being gratitude for being able to be out running)?

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4.  Why are some runners more prone to injuries than others?  Yes, all of the little things we do outside of our running makes a huge difference in whether or not we get injuries but some people just get injuries way more often than others.  Anytime I go over 55-60 miles… boom.  I’m injured.   Yet my training buddies can handle way more miles and others friends of mine can’t go over 35ish miles per week without getting injured.  Very very interesting.  Deep thoughts today;)

5.  How effective is cross training for our running?  I REALLY want to understand this better, like with exact percentages.  For me I have noticed that spin classes are very effective for my speed and leg turnover but I would love to understand the exact ratio that is the perfect formula for each and every runner:)

6.  How does our perception change so drastically on how many miles we are doing for our long runs:)  In the beginning of a training cycle x amount of miles sounds like forever for me and then a few months later that same amount of mileage seems like it goes by in the blink of an eye.   I use that weird word ‘JUST’ to explain running 14 miles or something crazy like that.

7.  Why it feels like it takes way more time to really build up endurance/speed than it takes to lose it:)  Ever feel this and wonder why?  I swear it takes me 4 months to really build up my speed/endurance and then I take a few weeks off after a marathon and boom… I feel like I’m starting all over again (I know this isn’t really what is happening and our fitness sticks around longer than we think but it sure feels like it is faster to lose it than to build it).

A random truth about my running life that I am putting in this post:

Level of crazy

8.  How the heck we can jump up from 20 miles (or even 18) to a full marathon or 10 miles to a half-marathon?!  It is always so interesting to me that during training we increase our long runs by about 2 miles each week (along with a few cut-back weeks in there) and then we get to 20 miles (or 22 miles) and rest up for a few weeks and then boom, on race day we jump up to the full 26.2 miles.  It has worked great for me 9 times so far but I still don’t really understand how it works so well (maybe the answer is because a big portion of our running is mental)!

9.  A bad run the week before a race = an awesome race day for me.  I’m not just talking about a ‘mmmm that wasn’t fun’ type of run… I’m talking about the kind of runs where you are ready to throw in the towel and sell your 40 pairs of running shoes.  Every one of my best races have included one of those really awful runs just a few days before the race.  It’s science for me personally but I want to KNOW WHY!

10.  Why do running shoes not last forever (we would all have a lot more money if they did;)?  Also, why more people don’t understand my hair-washing theory as a runner:

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What do you not understand about running?!?!

What things can you relate with or do you understand better out of my list?!

Make-up… do you enjoy putting it on or not so much?  How long is your getting-ready routine in the morning usually?

What are you having for lunch today… is it something you eat often or do you switch up your lunches a lot lately?!

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65 comments

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I relate to literally all of those, especially 1 and 3. I wish there were a pattern to my running, but it seems like any given day my run could feel great or could just as likely feel terrible . But at least that way I can always know there’s a chance it will be good! Even if yesterday’s run made me want to die haha. And yes, getting up at 5:45 and running 6 miles = way more energy throughout the day than just sleeping in.

Another thing I don’t understand is how sometimes when I’m running an hour feels like 5 minutes and sometimes it feels like 3 weeks. My marathons always seem to feel so short and then a weekday 7-mile run will feel like forever.

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Oh my goodness, I’m right there with you on so many of these, especially the mileage/injury thing. Some of my runner friends can run 70-100 miles per week, and I can’t go more than 50 without getting injured. That one definitely doesn’t make sense to me. I also don’t understand how just because it’s race morning, my stomach can suddenly turn into a nightmare of a situation, and I have to visit the portos like 14 times before the race starts.

I don’t wear any make-up, but I’m definitely obsessed with my Victoria’s Secret lipgloss (thanks again for introducing me to it!!). I seriously can’t be without it. The “Candy, Baby” flavor is my absolute fave!

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Ahh thanks for the shout out – I most definitely consider us friends :) Glad to know I’m not alone!
I’m with you with #1 – one day I have an awesome run and then the next is such a serious struggle (aka my run last night ughhh)
My getting ready routine takes about 25-30 minutes (shower, make up, hair, getting dressed)!
Enjoy your day!

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I had lash extensions for 6 months. They looked great while I had them (unless one was loose and stuck sideways, lol) but when I got them removed my natural lashes were VERY brittle. They were so dry and stubby looking, and probably took about a full year to grow back to normal. They looked about half the length that my natural lash actually is, even with tons of mascara on. Other than that I loved the way they looked when I had them! Like you said, you don’t need any additional eye makeup with them on, which makes getting out the door super easy in the AM.

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I think we have more energy after a run has something to do with the endorphins.

I never used to like cross training. I was convinced that the only thing that would help me run faster was running. And then I started taking some weight training classes and my PR changed by 2-3 minutes on a 5k! My mom and I were just talking about that yesterday and we both decided we should probably work harder at the weight training stuff so we can be faster again.

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-I definitely relate to numbers 1 and 4. Somedays running feels so easy..my legs are light and the time flies by! Other days I keep having to stop, stretch, tie my shoes..basically take breaks because I’m just tired, etc. ahh!
-I also have to watch how much I’m doing each week in regards to injuries…seems like I am okay for awhile but then things start to crop up and it amazes me at people that can run like 80-100 miles a week! I HAVE to be diligent about stretching, foam rolling, and cross training.
-Getting ready in the morning usually only takes me about 30 minutes including a shower..and I don’t like putting on makeup or doing my hair really either! Have a great day! :)

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It seems to me, more often than not, that what I have a super awesome run, the next one is the opposite. I don’t know if I get in my own head about it, or if the previous run was just so great that there’s not much left to make the next one good too. I’m talking the “runner’s high” run – where all is right with the universe and you could cry because you’re so happy to be out there running. :)

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Oh yes, I totally agree with you Amanda! WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN!?!

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I agree about one day being great and next terrible. And I really want to know about the cross training too! I have lunches that I make ahead so it is a lot of the same. Mexican rice bowl for the last three days!

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I love make-up! From getting into the shower to being ready to go out the door, it takes me anywhere from 45-60 minutes. I think I love make-up because I love art, and I see it more as another form of artistry rather than trying to cover up who I am/imperfections :)

I’ve been intrigued by lashes, but between running massages and getting my hair highlighted, I haven’t been able to take the financial plunge. Maybe some day! I do hot yoga, too………….it sounds like that wouldn’t mix too great with hot yoga :)

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Thank you for always making sure I get my fruits in! Yours always looks so good, so obviously I need some too!

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You are so welcome hahah! I hope you have some amazing raspberries soon Paula! Thanks!!

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Such a great list! The same pace feels so much harder for me on the treadmill than outside! And I feel miserable and tired and less creative and efficient at work on recovery days. But I know I need them! Lunch today is leftover chili. I made a batch in the crock pot on the weekend. Delicious and quick!

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Oh my gosh. The whole losing your fitness thing…it’s crazy! I feel like if I take any time off at all, I lose everything I worked hard for. I think the same thing goes for losing/gaining weight. It takes SO long to lose weight, roughly 1 million years, and then you gain it back SO quickly. ; ) I have WAY more energy when I run, I’m also in a much better mood. I am SO grumpy when I don’t run. Even if I have a bad run, it’s better than not running at all!

I also get lash extensions and I am OBSESSED. I hardly wear any other make-up. It’s amazing. I also HATE putting on mascara – I get it all over myself. #hotmess

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YES YES YES… it is so frustrating right!?! You are not alone in feeling that way. I think it actually takes us a lot longer to lose fitness than we think physically but MENTALLY I swear I lose it so fast! I agree… bad run = still a better mood. Love to hear from another lash addict:) I hope you have a great day Chelsea!

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I have a question regarding using your treadmill in the mornings to avoid running in the dark. Do you run until you think it is light enough outside or do you have a formula? Just curious. Also, did I miss your strength training program review post? Or is it yet to come? I always need help in that area. I know it’s important, it’s just not my favorite.

Lunch is Dave’s killer bread with fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato grilled. The bomb… I eb and flow with this lunch.

It takes me about 20ish minutes to get ready in the morning. I am a makeup lover from WAY back. I keep it simple during the week though…although seeing your routine…not THAT simple! ;) Love your lashes….maybe I’ll get brave some day to try!

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GREAT QUESTION Bridget! First, the strength training post will be up next week (I think next Tuesday) and as far as my treadmill to outdoor habit lately… some days I run on the treadmill until it is light enough to run outside. Sometimes I run on the treadmill, use the restroom and then go outside:) Sometimes I just do it to split up the run too. Usually it is to wait until it is light enough outside! Okay, your lunch sounds amazing… can I come over!? I hope you have a beautiful day!

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I’ve always wondered about eyelashes. I know a bunch of people who swear by it but have never tried it myself. I can’t believe his chilly it s there. It was like running through a swamp today.

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I’ve toned back my running to at-home 30 min workouts and I like the results I’m seeing. I’m going to sign up for our local 5K Donut Dash in Oct. It’s a fun course through historic places in our town. For lunch today it will probably be Ezekiel bread, turkey, spinach leaves and spicy mustard. Repeat from yesterday. Nothing fancy but I’m craving it now. I wish I had wash-and-go hair but with short naturally curly hair it demands attention and lot of product. I work in higher education and I’m the first face students and the public see so I hold myself to full make-up Mon-Fri. Some days I love getting ready for work and others I wish I could go with no-makeup.

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i’m also faster outside. the treadmill can be so grueling. it’s much easier to enjoy and relax when you’re outside!

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I don’t understand how that first mile feels like I’ve never run in my whole life, even though I’ve been running for the past 6 years and have completed 5k’s, 10k’s, a half and a full marathon!

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Okay. Exactly. I completely agree. I do not understand this one bit!

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Love the Janae jacket!!!! Where have you bought yours? I need a new one for fall :)

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Thanks Ashley!! I put my current favorite fall jackets (like the one I was talking about) in this post (along with my other favorites)! I hope you have a beautiful day!

https://hungryrunnergirl.com/2017/09/friday-favorites-my-fall-clothing-favorites-race-accomplishments.html

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Thanks for the eyelash info! I’ve always wondered about that. Yours look incredible! Honestly I dislike spending the time at the salon, so that would be a big con for me. But my lashes are pretty much invisible without mascara, and that would be a huge pro for me. Do you tint your eyebrows at home? That’s something I could use too!!

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Hey Lisa! Thank you, you are so sweet. I agree… it’s hard to find the time to get in and just sit there right. I feel lucky that my eyelashes feel like I get to catch up with my friend ha. Now to find that for my hair….
I just bought the stuff to do tinting at home and my sister and i are going to make a video of it. BUT up until this point I have done it with my eyelashes!

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The crazy-no-run-mom (especially with PMS) and why-wash-hair-just-to-do-it-again jokes are 100% me.
My morning starts at 4:55am M-F for seminary – on a good day I will take 10 seconds to brush my hair. I put on a tiny bit of eyeliner on Sunday mornings and however long it lasts before wearing off is how much make up I wear for the entire week.

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HAHAH glad I am not alone… watch out if I don’t run;) Okay, 4:55 a.m. YOU ARE AMAZING. What state do you live in? We always had seminary during school so I feel like those kids that do it before school (and their parents) are incredible. I hope you have a beautiful day!

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okay, important things first. My husband found that Dave’s Killer Bread in the store the other day and it cracked him up. He wants to know if a) it’s any good b) what makes it stand out.

I don’t understand how I can do all the strength training and PT suggestions and still get injured. Drives me nuts. (and I REALLY dislike when people tell me to find another sport. I’ve been injured walking the dog).

I like makeup, I don’t wear it every day but it’s fun to play. I also like how I can disguise being tired or add a pop of color when I feel washed out.

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Speaking from my own perspective, I like Dave’s Killer Bread because it tastes good! And I can pretty much pronounce all the ingredients which is nice. It makes really good sandwiches but I don’t know that I would classify it as any different than something like Ezekial bread. It’s very similar to that. I haven’t been able to find any of the other products but I would like to try the bagels from the Dave’s bread line too. I think it’s worth the money if you try to reduce the amount of overly processed food and added sugars in other breads, but that’s just my opinion. :)

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Thank you, Rhiannon! We do normally buy Ezekiel and skip the overly processed stuff. He wants a bread that he doesn’t have to always toast for a sandwich.

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I’ve always wondered about #2, talent vs hard work, for years now. I used to be a slower runner and earlier this year I decided to just start running faster. Now, I am about 2 minutes faster per mile. I swear this is all just in our heads :)

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MARY…. UMMMM huge congrats on running 2 minutes faster per mile! That is huge!

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I can relate to soooo many of those questions; especially the “prone to injury” one (I’m a solid 30 miler girl when I’m in my running groove, otherwise things go south) and the innate talent vs work (my whole life I’ve been told I’ve got the build and natural stride of a mid-distance runner, soooo….then why the heck can’t I run as fast as other “natural” mid-distance runners??? Boo!). I also wish I understood the cross-training thing. I don’t need to know the cellular level data, but if someone said: do xx minutes of yy workouts and you’ll take z:zz of your mile, it’d be such a no-brainer for me to stick to a cross training routine! :)

I love my make up, but I am not an instaglam-type person. I’ve got my M-F routine down to about 7 minutes (?) or so for make up and 3-4 minutes to blow dry my hair (really thin hair). I do give myself 30-40 minutes on Sunday so I can curl my hair and go a bit more dramatic on my eye make up.

Taking my college kid to lunch today. Yay! We’ll eat wherever he wants.

Have a GREAT Wednesday, Janae!

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Great topic! I don’t understand a lot of the things you listed too. But I have some thoughts about #4, why some people are more prone to injuries than others. I think it’s a combination of genetics and habits. For example, I started running 2 years ago at 31 years old. I didn’t really understand what my body was like or can do and I had no experience being athletic at all.

So it wasn’t until my first injury that I found out all these quirks my body had: slightly tilted hip, one leg longer than the other, lower arch on my right foot, etc–all this asymmetry, which is genetic, that throws off my stride/gait. But also because I never had to worry about these things, I also developed tight hips, weak glutes, poor form, etc, more things that throw me off when I try to run.

I had to see a physical therapist, get analyzed, and learn how to stretch and strengthen my specific weak areas to HOPEFULLY help me stay injury free…

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Cat, I totally agree with you about the combo of genetics and habits effecting how often we get injuries! I am so glad you found a great pt that could help you learn how to get your body up and running again:) PS Congrats on the two years of running… I LOVE it!

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I hate feeling rushed while getting ready so I usually wake up early to shower, style my hair, and apply makeup! I wear minimal makeup if I’m just running errands but usually wear eyeshadow and some sort of lip gloss on days I have to go somewhere.

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Knox really is the most outgoing and friendly kid. I love it.
I want to know the injury rate statistics too. Probably one of the first questions I am going to ask God. Hey. Why did I get injured so easily? Also, why did you make men and women so completely different and then put us together?
My friend has her own bees and gave me a jar of their honey. It. Is. Amazing. I am stingy with it and only use it when I am really going to taste the flavor.
I’ll probably be eating left over honey lime chicken enchiladas today for lunch…and every day for the rest of my life…

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The whole natural talent vs effort has always been in the back of my mind. I would not consider myself to be a “natural runner” but I have worked pretty hard to get to where I am at now, and I wonder if maybe my stubborn genetics played into that or not – I have pretty much no other athletic talent so I am not gifted in that area in general!
I also don’t understand how some days my runs feel easy from the start, and other days, I don’t feel good until mile 3 or more. It’s so weird!
I like doing my own makeup, and I have my routine pretty down pat, but I could probably complicate it more if I were willing to spend more money on certain products… but I am not to that point yet! It takes me about 35-45 min to get ready in the morning, although I can rush through and get done in about 20 if no shower is involved.
I totally love these “conversations” we have in the comments. I like reading what others say and seeing your responses… I totally think we are friends! :)

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I agree with your hair washing theory. I have long naturally curly hair that is extremely dry. On top of that, I live in southeast Georgia so don’t even get me started on the temperature and humidity. Today’s high is 92!!! (Happy Fall!) I end up washing my hair about twice a week. However when I wash it, I use Deva Curl. It’s the best curly girl line on the market.

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92 degrees today!?! I was wearing gloves on my run this morning… I can’t even imagine! I have always wanted naturally curly hair (my sister has it and I love it)! Yeah, the combo of the temperatures/humidity with curly hair… not fun (but gorgeous:)!! I hope you have a fabulous day Trish!

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Hmm, how long people can run without dying. :) JK. I don’t enjoy make-up at all; the process or having it on. I only do the essentials: concealer, eyeshadow, blush, powder but once I get home, I have to wash my face off immediately. I recently just got my brows microbladed and love it. They were non-existent before and now makes the make-up process (or not) so much easier and faster. I am so boring with lunch. My husband packs his and I eat at home but we have the same thing; veggies, chicken patty, egg whites, and rice (or sweet potato). Not sure when it was different, although we do vary it on weekends. :) Have a great day, Janae! :)

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Okay, I SO want to get my eyebrows micro bladed. You are making me want it even more now! So glad you love them… I bet they look amazing! Sounds like a wonderful combo for lunch. Thanks Marie!

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Lunch today is yellow/orange/red peppers & cucumbers in dip. YUM. I am so much slower on the treadmill and I dread every minute, feels like I ran for 45 minutes minutes but really 2 minutes went by. Outside is so much more enjoyable for me, and then I’m like “What, I’m done already.” I love the pic of Knox talking to people, my kid is SO shy with adults. Kids & elderly people…bam, friends right away. Middle aged adults, may take several months to a year before she talks to you. I will never understand the days your legs are like feathers and tree trunks on others. That pic about no telling what level of crazy you are working with because mom didn’t run today has me cracking up so hard. It’s so true. lol

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oh my GOSH I know exactly what you mean for #1! I was DYING on Monday’s 6 mile speed workout and I crawled home at a 9:30 pace, when the last two miles were supposed to be 8:30 recovery miles. Then yesterday at the Lululemon/PLX group run, I ran 4 miles at 7:48 like it was nothing! One day I’m on the struggle bus, and the next day I’m fine – crazy! And about the extra energy – I run with my border collie and I think that’s going to wear her out, but it does the exact opposite :) She’s still super hyper and wants attention!

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My thoughts:
On exercise giving us energy instead of wearing us out — this is definitely the mental boost/endorphin thing. Running leaves us feeling more positive, which makes us feel more energetic.
On “one day of running can feel like rainbows and skittles and like we are at the top of our fitness game and then the next day we can somehow feel like our legs are tree trunks” — I think this is how everything is about life, lol. Some days we feel positive and happy and upbeat and other days we are grumpy and down and want to just stay under the covers. Our bodies are the same with exercise. Some days we hit every stride (physically and metaphorically) and others days we’re just off. It’s called being human :)
On jumping from 20 to 26 on race day (or 10 to 13 on race day) — the crowds and the excitement! Before I ran a marathon someone told me this: if you can slog through 20 miles by yourself, you can run 26 in front of cheering crowds.

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LISA… thank you for your answers! They are awesome and I especially love how you related the hard day/easy day thing to everything else in life. SO TRUE. Oh and thank goodness for all of the crowds and excitement on race day, that makes the biggest difference! I hope you have a great day!

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There are so many things I don’t understand about running! Injuries- and why some people (me) get injured so much more often is definetely something that’s been on my mind lately. I consider myself pretty medically informed, but I’m continuously baffled about how little metabolic changes and tweaks can lead to physical injuries. Like, when my doctor first found my stress fracture, he asked me “how much sunlight do you get?” I wouldn’t have even thought that sunlight and bone health were connected, but our body needs vitamin D to process calcium properly!
I go pretty light on the makeup, but I would love eyelash extensions!! I’ve been looking into getting some, but in my area they’re over $100, sometimes over $200!

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I don’t typically wear any makeup, out of pure laziness! I do feel a bit better when I brush on some blush, mascara, and cover-up so I really should make an effort to do it more often. How do you mean you can’t get your eyelashes wet? Do you just wash your face with a washcloth or something and not splash water on it? How do you shower with them? hahaha clearly I have ALL THE QUESTIONS. They look beautiful.

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I just moved to Utah and omigosh, I totally agree with you on the comment about temperature change! But I am a cooler weather runner, and so I’m not complaining. :) And I’m so glad to hear of someone else who is also faster on the roads vs. the treadmill – I thought there was something wrong with me (or that I was more out of shape that I wanted to admit) haha.

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See, and I don’t really want to know what is more impacting on your running (genetics vs. hard work). While I feel like everyone has some natural talent for something (running or not), what you do with that is what defines you. I am aware I probably have slightly above average natural ability but I also work really really hard like many people. Sometimes I feel like people (in general) are dismissive of athletes who appear to have more natural talent. I mean, you still have to work hard to maintain it or get somewhere. Either way though, that is something I like not knowing…I feel like it keeps me working harder!

I totally agree on not understanding running giving me more energy. Yes I get the hormonal aspect triggered by exercise. But man, those rest days I usually feel more tired! Or those days I’m crazy busy working, momming, etc…and I go for a run instead of taking a power nap and I feel immensely better! Strange, but just go with it right?!

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What is your treadmill incline usually set at? I always have mine at 1% to counteract the motor/recreate real life. I find that my treadmill/road times are comparable. (But I can also push myself harder on the treadmill than I can on the road.)

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The speed on the treadmill feels way faster than when I am outside so I always slow it down on the treadmill.
I do think it’s crazy that training plans stop at 20 miles for the marathon…for me another 6 miles is another hour of running! I run 26 once before the race so that mentally I known I’ve got it. 10 for a half is more reasonable.

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I’ve thought a great deal about your comment “Innate abilty vs. hard work” and “work vs. genetics”. I was an athlete in high school and college. NCAA Softball…. loved it. It was a huge part of my life. From morning lifting, pitching practice, team practice, games, competition, team comrodary… Loved all of it. Then I graduated college… and boom, it’s over. No team, no softball, no excersize plan. That’s a tough transition. After I had my girls… I started to run. Not because it seemed like I had any innate ability at all to do so, but because a dear family member who truly is a “runner” suggested that it would make me feel better, happier, healthier and would make me an even better mama. I valued her opinion and looked up to her a family member, friend and mom of 3 who I aspired to be like. I went in to it feeling way out of my league. My experience with running was from base to base when I had a hit on the softball field. Sure we ran to stay in shape.. but it was sprinting and I never really liked it all that much. But I started running. First, telephone pole to telephone pole… it was all I could do. Had to take walk breaks… but man, that first mile felt so good. That sweat from the workout, the fact that it was HARD, but that I did it. I was hooked…. but it was hard work!! Now, it’s been many years of running (my girls are 5 and 9 now) and I have completed 6 Half Marathons (my last with a PR of 1:53:54) and am on my second Ragnar. Hard to imagine that new mama years ago running from telephone pole to telephone pole was me…. but oh how far I’ve come… and truly it has all been from hard work. What really made me want to respond today was the conversation I had (while running) with that dear family member who first inspired me.. she was so thrilled at my accomplishments and had called me an excellent “RUNNER”. I told her.. I’ve never felt quite worthy of the title “runner” that was for the really fast girls who actually look like runners, not for me. But she said to me … running is so hard for everyone, it’s the push to get out of bed or off the couch to get out and put your health and wellbeing first that makes you a “runner”. Not your size, speed, or innate ability. We ALL have the choice… Kudos to those to embrace it. To all “runners” it’s hard work. But man, is it ever worth it.

Thanks for your blog. I’ve never posted before… but I felt called to today… maybe someone else out there doesn’t feel like a real “runner” and needs the encouragement. I needed the encouragement myself some time ago and am so grateful for someone who believed I could, and called me a runner!

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I eat the same thing for lunch for a whole week, then I switch it up, though not really that much. Usually my lunches are some kind of salad with tuna or salmon or hard boiled eggs, avocado, and a bunch of veggies. Simple, delicious, and easy to prep on Sunday for the whole week ahead.

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Hi Janae!
I have a recommendation on your lashes!!!!!
You can grown your own lashes w/ Lash Boost!! From Roden & Fields!
It works I swear!!!! #lashboost #lashboostworks #rodenandfields
I can hook you up & let me know.
I’ll send you a link. ?

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I don’t understand how I can love running almost more than anything in my life, and there are people (CLOSE FRIENDS, EVEN!) that hate it more than anything?!?!

I don’t understand how altitude can make as big of a difference as it does. Scientifically, sure this makes sense. But it BAFFLES me how much faster I can run at sea level.

I don’t understand how my runs at GMP during training can feel exponentially harder than race day (well, for at least those first 18-20 miles…)

I don’t understand how I can train hard for 4 months and feel wonderful and 12 hours into “taper time” I get the world’s worst head cold. Almost every. single. time. Speaking of which –> question for you! For the first time in as long as I can remember, I have a dang head cold during training (Hanson’s training, specifically). How miserable do you have to feel to skip a run due to illness? This cold is LINGERING and I’m beginning to panic about how much it’s going to affect my training/potentially my marathon goals. I can still run ok, but speedwork has been completely out of the question for the last 2 weeks. Thoughts? Opinions? Words of reassurance/wisdom??

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I definitely understand some of those questions! Side note, I tried doing spin as crosstraining for running and it KILLED my legs. I lift heavy weights and my legs are so much better and my pace is faster. How weird!

The genetics versus work is a big one of mine too. For some reason I feel like running is harder for me because I’m short. I don’t know why but my mind thinks that anyone that’s 6 feet tall can run a seven minute mile no problem. Lol, I’m definitely crazy.

Also, this is the first training cycle where I’m also trying to grow out my hair and it’s getting tough because I.DON’T.WANT.TO.WASH.MY.HAIR. I use dry shampoo but I’m 95% sure I’m using it wrong lol.

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I feel like I’m late to today’s comment party… but I’ll share my comments that are sort of random anyways!
A) Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Yogurt & berries (or peaches or nectarines) = A1. Thanks for that new addiction!
B) I have been addicted to the fake lashes for almost 2 years now!! I love them! My other pro to add to your list is that when I go for a run or a swim (or any activity that I’m sweaty or wet) I don’t have mascara all down my face- if I wore waterproof, it would be on forever and clumpy! Boo! And my other con to add to your list is that I sleep on my front :( I try to stay on my back, but some mornings my lashes are sideways. But still worth it! I am 10 seconds in the morning- just lipgloss!
C) I’ve never been one to get injured, however, in the last two weeks I’ve done something to my back and I am not allowed to run!!! It’s the worst thing of my life… and I have a marathon in 6 weeks… I’m starting to worry!!!

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-Kinda gross, but I have always struggled with getting terrible blisters during my long runs. Things like Moleskin and good shoes/socks have definitely helped but if I didn’t have all that I would be in BAD shape. On the other hand, my fiance (who runs too) has never gotten a blister in his life!

-#4 and #6, after marathon training for the past four months I am actually really excited to only have to run 16 miles this weekend. I can’t believe I am saying ONLY 16 miles…

-I HATE putting on makeup

-http://www.eatyourselfskinny.com/honey-sriracha-glazed-meatballs/

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What I wonder about running is just how mental is it? Like, I can beat my varsity girls on most runs, but then in a 5k, they kill it and go faster than what I can. I think I’m just stronger mentally, not to pat myself on the back or anything, I think a lot of that confidence has just come with age and training (and maybe having babies :)

I take pride in that I can literally get ready in 10 min or less :) I hate having people wait on me! I do a full face of makeup in the morning, and it’s still only takes about 6 min. to put on. I have microbladed eye brows but real lashes, so I definitely need mascara :)

I’ve been meal prepping on Sundays which means chicken and veggies all week long and I finally got pretty sick of it this week, so I made extra turkey with taco seasoning and brought taco salad for lunch today. I only have 35 min for lunch, so I pretty much have to pack it and unless I do it the night before, it just doesn’t get done. I pre-make the kids’ sandwiches on Sunday nights and freeze them so all they have to do it grade them out of the freezer but I just cannot do sandwiches every day. I love the weekends and summer when I can actually cook a meal!

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Hi Janae! What a fun post with all the running questions! I’m 40 and have run off and on for years and now that my hormones are very stable and even ( 20’s and 30’s were years of pms and cravings and cranky ) and my metabolic hormones are stable, running is so much easier now that I’m older so I lean on the research that hormones affect your fitness abilities .. how your muscles recover from one running day to the next, how your metabolic hormones efficiently use glycogen and store it and use it affects running energy and muscle energy ( glycogen also releases from muscles ) so I know by how I feel hormonally how my run will go and I’m 100% accurate each time. And I’d give anything to know like you said, what is the strength training requirements for running stronger and faster .. I have followed Emma Coburn for most of her career and she says her secret in strength and feeling good is 9-10 hours of sleep, super clean diet — she doesn’t eat sugar and starches 9 months of the year , and her plyo metric strength training she does daily ?.. so she runs daily and strength trains daily and sleeps a ton which allows all her hormones to do thier magic and eats clean and she says she simply loves running. So I’ve tried to incorporate 20 min of plyo with weights 6x a week and it does work .. I’m faster and my metabolism is stronger which means I have better glycogen use when I’m running so that’s all the data I got lol ??.. but if you find out any of your answers tell all of us bc those are the best questions! Oh and the energy comes from endorphins released while you run.. happy hormones ❤

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On #4… So I can’t tell you why. But I can say I’ve experienced this, not just with running but with walking and hiking too! Every time I trained for a half marathon (and I tried different methods) I got injured, and it was a different injury every time. Finally, I ended up with a herniated disk, extruded disk, and stenosis and arthritis in my spine. So I can’t run anymore (after many tries). I tried walking. Same thing happened. Once I went over 10 miles, it was all over. Enter hiking. And I mean painstaking training, careful planning, cross-training. 13 miles? BAM. Back in physical therapy. All I can think is that there must be a genetic component. I keep telling myself I’m going to be the best long distance runner/hiker in Heaven! haha.

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I totally agree with being slower on the treadmill. I can’t run anymore due to health issues so I walk instead, whilst training for a charity walk I did 7 miles on the treadmill (never again, the boredom was too much even with Grey’s anatomy on my iPad?) and did 7 miles outside the next week to see what difference it made. It took me 30 more minutes on the treadmill and I was very confused since I felt like I was walking much faster. Weird how things work some times!

Hope you’re having a great week- also those raspberries look delicious!! It’s been raining here in England for the last week and a day out raspberry picking sounds so perfect!

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I do enjoy getting ready but not everyday. I have blonde eyelashes so I wonder how this would work for me. Yours look amazing!

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