Thank You Katy Perry!

I may have gone to the Katy Perry concert with my daughter.
I may have acted like a 13 year old girl while there.
I may have spent $70 !!!! on this sweatshirt (shhh, don't tell hubby).
It may be the most comfy sweatshirt on the planet!
(it is a pet peeve of mine when the outside of the sweatshirt is softer than the inside...this one isn't like that  )
THANK YOU Katy Perry!!

Photo A Day #3- Workout Tip

I am participating in a photo a day challenge...

Today's topic is "Workout Tip" #ffpPhoto 
My workout tip is to CROSS TRAIN.

I love to run BUT I love to run better, faster and stronger. When I ran my first half marathon I struggled because I just trained with running. Right now I am training for my first marathon and using P90X3 (agility, core, yoga. strength, cardio, Plyo) as my cross training and THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING! My runs FEEL BETTER, they are faster and I feel stronger all around. Plus I don't completely lose steam in my long runs because my endurance it so much better!
PS...the BEST thing I ever did was leave my gym. I spent TEN years working out at the gyn FIVE days week...and I mean WORKING....where did it get me? NOT here that is for sure! #ditchthegym

"The Mile"

Quick Story To Tell 
I am on vacation In my home town, at the house I grew up in. 
This morning I ran past my high school. 🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃
I HATED "the mile" in school!
I used to  on mile day!
Now, at 4⃣1⃣ I  running!

HOW?
 Consistency #compoundeffect
 Clean Eating 
 Cross Training 
IF I CAN DO IT!
YOU CAN DO IT!

It's NEVER too late to chase your dream!

Now if this isn't motivation, I don't know what is!

RECORD BREAKING CANCER WARRIOR. 

At 91 years old, Harriette Thompson has become the second oldest marathon runner in U.S. history. Running in Sunday's San Diego Marathon, Thompson broke the U.S. women's record for the fastest marathon run in the 90-94 age group finishing in 7 hours, 7 minutes and 42 seconds. Thompson didn't begin running until she was 76.

Random Running Thoughts ~ That Three Letter Word

RUN

When we say we RUN it means so many different things. 

It means we are working hard. 

It means sometimes we hate it, but we go right back to it. 

It means we are learning about ourselves in ways we never thought we would from exercise.

It means we are part of a community that is supportive and united.

It means we are putting our body and health on the front burner.

But, when we RUN it sometimes implies other things. I have often thought about saying that I JOG, instead of RUN, because jogging does not entail a whole segment of the culture that I don't relate with at all. There is A LOT out there about running; on social media, mainstream news, and even driving down the street you see more and more people running. Don't get me wrong, I love it! It makes me feel like I am part of something big, a movement of sorts.

However, not all runners are cookie cutter. I hope that when you read through this list, you will realize that you are your own runner AND to never give up because you don't fit in a mold. Likewise, please don't be offended if I disagree with something that makes you a runner. We are all different, that is my point.

What Makes Me A Unique Runner

1. I don't like races/events. Yes, it is true, I almost feel ashamed to even type that because usually a runner loves races.  When I began running over three years ago I ran two 10Ks, a 5K and a half marathon. For me, all the hooplah distracted me from everything I love about running. I will probably run more, even a marathon sometime. Maybe I'll do an entire post on my feelings about events, who knows. 
2. I don't like running with others, despite how social I am. This one may not be as controversial as #1 because many people like to run alone. The strange thing about this is that talking with friends is on my top three list of things I love so it is just strange I don't like doing it when I run.
3. I am always in training. I know this seems like it contradicts  #1, but it is true. I use Personal Running Trainer and it always helps me to progress forward, challenge myself and be accountable. With no event in sight I am currently on week 10 of half marathon training. 
4. I don't have my PR (personal record) or PB (personal best) memorized. 
5. Similarly, I don't wear a Garmin or other type of tracking device. I have nothing against it at all, as a matter of fact I have wanted one since I began running, but have never taken the plunge. On Personal Running Trainer is does use a GPS and measures distance and pace, but I always tell myself it is not really accurate. It is complete denial on my part because I just love to run, I just don't like the pressure to perform.
6. I am SLOW. Now many runners will say that they are slow, but I really mean it! A lot of it has to do with my ongoing sciatic pain. When it doesn't hurt I run at a much better pace, but that is rare nowadays.

That is just scratching the surface.

So when you are reading blogs, pins, fitness pages, articles, etc. please do not be discouraged if you run to your own beat. Do not get caught up in the running lingo, the "my best pace is..." and others telling you that real runners use/wear this. Getting caught up in all of that just leads to self doubt.

If you run, you are a RUNNER.

I do it because it makes me feel more empowered than anything else I've ever done. You do it for your reasons and maybe we will meet someday on the trail.

Random Running Thoughts ~ 7.24.13

Run~ 100 minute run

Place~ San Ramon/Dublin, CA while visiting my parents

Playlist~ Combination of 80's and 2013 faves

The following is a sample of random thoughts I had on my run today.

• "Please help the my left leg be okay so that I can complete this run."
• "Adam Levine is so dang sexy. I could listen to him sing all day long." while listening to "Daylight"
• "I can't wait to see hubby on Saturday. It has been way too long."
• "I can run all day at this pace. You know what? Maybe I don't want to be a runner at all. Maybe I will call myself a jogger."
• "I hate the whole pacing part of running. I just like to run and not worry about how fast I am running, especially on these long runs...hmmmm something to think about."
• " I feel so lucky to be able to run in such a pretty location."
• "I don't miss China very much."
• "Today I am going to figure out my budget and go buy new running shoes. I am way overdue."
• "Taking two Advil before my run is totally helping." I am not a Doctor and do not advise you to do this.
• "I can't wait to run at the beach again."
• "This running bra is working good. "
• "I am so glad I wore a hat today. This sun is bright and it is not even 8am."
• "I should've worn sunscreen."
• "I am only at 37 minutes? I've got a long way to go. I better modify my route to make it longer."
• "Oh thank goodness a red light. I need a little stretch of my legs."
• "I can't wait for a cold Gatorade." obsessed about that for the last three miles.
• "I love my parents so much. They are so good to me."
• "I wonder how many miles I will make it to in this 100 minute run." I ended up making it just under 9 miles.
• "My 90 minute play list is repeating, I must be almost done!"
• "I am going to need to stretch."
• "I feel GREAT!"

My FAVORITE exercise playlist yet!

Do you need some good summer tunes to help you through our Summer Weekly Challenge?

I have posted many playlists here on Behind The Refrigerator Door, but this one BY FAR is my most favorite!

There are a few surprises too.

Pic found here

This playlist is exactly an hour. I used it for my 10K training and I haven't gotten bored of it after three weeks! (I usually only listen for a week and a half at the most.)

• "Clouds" by Zach Sobiech- amazing song, amazing guy, amazing story.
• "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart" by Anne Hathaway and Jesse McCartney (Ella Enchanted Soundtrack)-very upbeat and gets you singin' along. 
• "Since U Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson- oldie but goodie.
• "Marry You" by Bruno Mars - another upbeat, fun song.
• "Daylight" by Maroon 5- visualizing Adam Levine singing this song to me and I will run for however long he wants me to!
• "We Found Love" by Rihanna- no matter how tired or lazy I feel, when this song comes on I want to move.
• "The Phantom of the Opera" by Andrew Lloyd Weber (original Broadway Soundtrack)- surprise! Give it a chance, the beat is perfect and repetitive and visualizing the play is the best way to keep your mind occupied. 
• "Good Vibrations" by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch- this is a carry over from my 80's playlist because I never, ever get tired of exercising to it!
• "Girlfriend" (clean version) by Avril Lavigne- another one I like to sing a long to.
• "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen- honestly, does anyone ever get sick of this song?
• "Who's That Chick?" by David Guetta and Rihanna- great running song! Secret: I pretend people are singing the chorus about me when I am running by them:)
• "The Anthem" by Good Charlotte- another song that usually reappears often on my playlists.
• "My Life Would Suck Without You" by Kelly Clarkson- I make up my own words to this song about how my life would suck without exercise.
• "We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions" by Michael Johns (American Idol version)- if there was one song on this playlist that I don't love it would be this one. Probably will change it out for the originals, so much better.
• "The Winner Takes It All" by Siobhan McCarthy (from Mamma Mia Original Broadway Recording)- I specifically put this near the end. Even though it is slower, it builds toward the end which would be perfect for a finish line. Power ballad that applies to anything...BTW don't count out your favorite Broadway soundtracks for exercise. Many of them are designed to be upbeat, perfect for exercise. 
• "Hey Jealousy" by Gin Blossoms- takes me right back to my Orange County college days. I love memory songs while I am running.
• "Just Give Me a Reason" by Pink- My current favorite song at the moment. I just LOVE it!

Random Running Thoughts~ 4.25.13

I am really committing to better blog photography! 
Thanks for your patience!
Here I am after my work out today.

I don't know about you but some of my most profound thoughts occur when I am exercising. Sometimes they are not so profound, just silly and often hilarious (at least to me)! I thought it would be fun to keep track of some of the random things that cross my mind as I am accruing mileage. Enjoy this glimpse into my scattered thoughts and, as always, be sure to share some of your own!

" How many songs is a thirty minute run? Oh forget it."

"Wow that guy is running at 13.8 km/hr! That is beyond sprinting for me. He can probably only keep that up for like five minutes."- He did it for thirty minutes!

"I am really wanting to listen to the Go-Go's." Too hard to switch playlists during my running app. "Note to self: next week's running playlist should be all 80's! Yeah!" I force myself to switch playlists each week. Otherwise it gets too predictable and I get bored. 

"What should I cook for dinner? Breakfast it is."

"What is that awful smell? Shoot...I think it is me! Why do I smell so bad? Is it the quinoa? Holy cow, it is really bad. I know I wore deodorant."

"Does anyone else smell me?"

"Why do I sweat more than anyone else?"

"I can't wait to eat my greek yogurt when I get home." - Darn! The boy ate my last one yesterday. Do you know how expensive and hard greek yogurt is to find in Beijing?

"Please let it be easy to find slingshots today."- It was easy! Found them right across the street from my house. I needed them for a youth church activity.

"KF (my niece)  should be a cop. She would make a good cop. Note to self: message her that she should be a cop."

" How much longer?"

"What will it be like running outside in just a couple of months? I hope it is not hilly." - In case you don't know, we are moving out of Beijing in June. We are relocating to the Los Angeles area, but don't know exactly where to yet. I bet it will be hilly!

"Seriously, how much longer?"

"I hate this song. Note to self: remove from playlist." - It was Katy Perry's Hot & Cold. The song is fine, but I am bored running to it.

"That tree sure has gotten a lot of leaves on it lately." -I try to run right in front of the window and I usually fixate on one focal point. Sometimes I visualize the path I ran on in my parent's neighborhood. Anything to get through treadmill running. The air in Beijing is too unhealthy to run outside (most of the time). 

"I'm going to make a Facebook page for my Behind The Refrigerator Door blog."

There you have it. The highlights of my brain activity during my run this morning. Did you have any interesting thoughts today?