Running After Routledge - Longrunergy

It's been way too long since I last checked in.  It's been a pretty awesome couple of months.

So grateful.

I know the holiday's are in full swing and we are all bouncing around from one place to the next........I just wanted to share a link with you all.

I had the absolute privilege to meet Susie a few months ago. 

 [Longrunergy] This lady is truly an inspiration.  A clear example of using running to do good in the world.

In February she will be taking part in an incredible journey. [biggest understatement ever]

PLEASE take a moment to read about it [here].

If you can donate - that would rock.
If you can spread the word through twitter, blog, Facebook - that is equally awesome.

I love seeing runners doing amazing things with their talents.

You are incredible Susie!

"Javelina" - The Sheepdogs [ Javelina Jundred ]

Only four days to go.

Four days until my first [TRAIL] 100 mile run. Yes, I have done two other 100+ mile runs but ------ they were both on a treadmill. So this will be new, exciting, nerve wracking & [hopefully] awesome.

The Javelina Jundred.

This race takes place at the McDowell Mountain Regional Park outside Fountain Hills, AZ.

It is a race I've wanted to do for the past three years. It typically falls on my/our anniversary. And I really can't blame the Pita for NOT wanting to spend our day watching his crazy wife run in loops for 24 hours.

HOWEVER...........this year it is 3 days after our anniversary and he surprised me with the best anniversary present ever.

My. Race. Entry.

[instagram @runemz]

The Javelina Jundred is comprised of six and a half loops on the rolling single track and jeep track of the 15.4 mile Pemberton Trail. The race begins in the clockwise direction and alternates each loop (washing machine style).

And we all really know WHY I signed up don't we?

Ya, I might be slightly obsessed with belt buckles. And this one......

the. freaking. best.

I will crawl, if I must, to get this buckle.

I plan to fuel mostly the same way I did in San Francisco. Mad amounts of Vega hydrator, Vega Energizer, bagels & #ALLTHEFREAKINGPICKLEJUICE I can get my hands on.

It is going to be a HOT one.

HIGH: 89* / Low 60* ---- not ideal but not horrible.

The hydration is going to be critical.

Good thing - I was just sent 500. Yes. FIVE + ZERO + ZERO shaker cups from GNC. Because if you express a GREAT dislike of shaker bottles ........ they'll send you 500. I kid. I kid.

It goes without saying but I AM A HUGE fan of GNC. Always have been. I'm pretty sure the Athletarian & I hit up no less than 5 GNC's in the 5 days she was in Arizona.

I'm truly grateful they have donated these freaking make my eyes hurt shaker bottles.

I'll be selling them and donating ALL the funds [less actual shipping fees] to Effect International. The same charity I ran to raise funding for last month in San Francisco. Stay tuned for more info......

And one of the best parts of this weekend.......

This Guy:

[ @nicklauscombs ]

Mr. Combs. He will be pacing me for the last 40-ish miles of this run. My partner in VEGA crime. He was one of the people who inspired me to go "plant based". Haven't looked back since. He is an amazing runner & I am truly blessed to have him pace me.


What an adventure this will be.

If you'd like to donate to Effect International click the link [here].

#jfr

EMZ N EFFECT - as written by IKUNA APPAREL

I am one insanely blessed girl to have IKUNA in my corner.

Until I find the words........

. . . . . here are my two favorite photos of my 108.88 mile journey.

My Peanut & I:

My Pita & I:

My heart is bursting with gratitude. The love I have been shown in the past 7 days is truly impossible to put into words.

So. Freaking. Grateful.

"......girl with great big plans....."

Today. Has. Been. Awesome.

this song + a TEXT like no other = all.freaking.smiles.

Run starts tomorrow at Rallypad [144 2nd street]
Treadmills move to Market Street & 4th around 6AM Friday.

one. more. sleep.

"It's Time" - Imagine Dragon

Well, it's not exactly time just yet.......but it's getting close.

16 days kind of "close".

The last 30 days have been incredible.

The training has been intense.
The excitement is killing me.
[super grateful, it's not the other way around]

This is what the training has looked like the last 31 days:

[dailymile]

I did my longest run 31 days ago:

[instagram @runemz ]

Nothing like 8 hours on a treadmill to start your day off right.  The first 6 hours I ran and text a few friends.  My friends are amazing.  Truly.  I received no less than 100 texts while I ran [and two hilarious videos].  Grateful.

Then I watched the first hour of the Today Show. 
The final hour I tried to pick up the pace a little so I would manage to get a final reading that included a "something" .44. 

YES, it is all about the 4's.

My body has felt great throughout this process.  I have never run this many miles in consecutive weeks before.

I know this special delivery from GNC sure helped.  HOLY.  SCORE!!

I love, love, love VEGA.  I swear by this stuff before, during and after my runs.  And the Quest Bars.......ummmmm, yes, please.

The last 24 hour treadmill run I did my highest mileage week was 89 miles.  Most weeks came in around 75-80.

A few things are different this time around:

* More miles
* Vegetarian
* Training on my very own Woodway
* Better fueling
* More foam rolling
* I know what I'm in for

And.  I.  Freaking.  Cannot.  Wait. 

If you would like to donate: [here]

If you would like to buy a shirt: [here]


Thank you so freaking much for all of your support.

Don"t Call It A Comeback.............

................

I've been wanting to do another "one" for nearly two years.

The San Francisco Union Square has called my name.

[Instagram-from last night]

#iwillsaveyouallandnotwriteinhashtag #butyouknowiwanttolikereallyreallybad



On September 13-14th you will find me here.

Running.

On. A. Treadmill. For. 24. Hours. [yes, again]

#outside #underatent #betterfreakingbeonaWoodway #wearingMizunos

To benefit Effect. [link]

So. freaking. excited.

So. freaking. grateful. for. the. opportunity.

Could not do this without my P&P.

I freaking love you MY freaking Pita and Peanut.
#jfr

"X Gon' Give It to Ya" - DMX [procompression winner]

Since it's Peanut's Spring Break this week.......

This is going to be fast.

We've got like 7 libraries she wants to hit up. [who is this child of mine?]

The winner of the ProCompression [magic] socks is

Which is..................

Run with Jess!!

Email me lady! [runemzrun at gmail]

Happy Monday to you ALL!

"Suit & Tie" - JT [socks & shorts] ProCompression giveaway & Motionwear discount

So lately.

My fun has been found here [Instagram]. I freaking love it.

Like LOVE it X 444.

It's my happy place. I pretty sure no one misses my "blogging" [minus my Mom]. I find Instagram to be a mini blog through a photo. It works for me.

However, these two promos brought me back for a quick blog post.

* ProCompression giveaway

and

* Motionwear discount.

I have long been a believer in compression post workout. I am now beginning to enjoy it during as well. I typically stuck with my CEP compression socks.......mostly because they were the first brand I was exposed to. After seeing a promo code on Hungry Runner Girl's blog a while back......I took the PCP. Pro Compression Plunge.

Anddddddddddddddd

I TOO......am a fan.

And I may wear them a lot.

Like a freaking lot.

So ProCompression has offered to giveaway one pair to one of you. Sa-weet.
Here's how you enter:

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR EACH [4 possible entries]

1. Tell me your big goal for 2013
2. Follow @Procompression on twitter
3. Follow me on Instagram
4. Tweet ..... "Yes, I freaking want to win some @procompression from @runemz and I think they should make these in CAMO." ;)

And just because they rock........

...............here is the promo code for 40% off : BLG13

I also received a pair of Motionwear shorts to try out.

I did one of my recovery runs in them. Zero complaints. Felt great. No rude rubbing or weird seams. #hugewin

[Please ignore the grandma socks.]

They are offering 15% off a $75 order when you use promo code: RUNEMZ

You can find them at
Twitter @motionwear
Instagram @motionwear

Winner will be announced Monday the 25th.

"Gratitude" - Beastie Boys {Phoenix Marathon}

Grateful.

That's me.

I used to be able to sit down to blog and the words would just come.  Lately, I've struggled to put recent events into words. 

"Thank you" - just doesn't seem to cover what I am feeling.

Let me take a step back.  I'll give you a few examples.

* I was blown away when I got to meet [in real life] RAchelle [yes, the CAP on that A is supposed to be there] ;) 

How I would describe her four words:

HUMBLE
Thoughtful
Caring
FREAKINGspeedy

But she went above and beyond the call of any friend last Saturday and ran 18 of my 26.2 mile marathon with me. 

Here is [really] where I do not have the words.  She talked to me from mile 18-25 - calf pain a-blazing.  Telling me story after story.  Stories of triumph.  Stories of pain.  Stories of encouragement.  I have since spent two hours writing this down in my journal.  I know, Emily, it was a freaking race.  Well, no, sorry, it wasn't.  It was a lot more than a race.  In fact, it was barely a race.  I will treasure this day forever.  However, it certainly will not be because I freaking finally got a new PR.

* Grateful for the confidence this race gave me.  I now KNOW I can do a 3:09.  I'll get it.  I held back at the beginning which felt great.  Only to cramp from a muscle pull [incurred 10 days before race day] at mile 15.  Not awesome.  But......still.........grateful


* When Further. Faster. Forever.  highlighted me as their "Athlete of the Week". 

A huge honor for me.  This is an incredible community of athletes run by athletes.  I have "met" some of the kindest people though this group.

People Like . . . .

mcg_christopher who ran 13.44 freaking miles on a treadmill.  THEN.......donated $444 to the Sojourner Center.  The Domestic Violence shelter I ran for 24 hours to raise money for.

grateful.

* And that text I got from my Mom on Friday.  She knew the Doctor told me not to race.  She also knew there wasn't a chance in *&## I'd listen.  So she text me five words.

You. Can. Do. Hard. Things.
#wordtomymutha

What are you grateful for today?

"Sail" - AWOLNATION

January has truly sailed by. [dang...so I guess birthday "month" must end]

I am still loving my awesome cookbook:

I have tried four [of course, four] recipes. ;)

But ummmmm, that 4th one . . . .  let's just say . . . . I don't recommend cooking at night when you are tired and want nothing more than to go to bed so you can do your long run in the morning. 

SOOOOOO tired [and lazy] in fact, that you [think] you turned the oven off [but actually just the convection fan] and you wake up at 4:30 to the smell of fried coconut.  Well, more like coconut charcoal.

[this is after they spent two hours outside]

It. was. not. awesome.

The Pita was not impressed.  Smoke filled the house.  Everything stinks.  Clothes.  Pillows.  My dog.  [so gross]

But by mid morning ..... He/We had found the humor in it.

I like to think of my nutritional plan/way of eating as the p90x of eating.

stomach-confusion.

I'm the worst.

One week I'm craving all things meaty.
The next week I'm fueling on all carbs.
Then it's all muscle milk and quest bars.
Followed by "can you eat your weight in Kale" week.

Anyway.....I've been feeling a lot better. Eating a lot "cleaner" even if that means completely changing what I eat from week to week.

In other random news.........

I meant to answer Michelle's question about:

HOW MANY MILES DID I RUN ON MY TREADMILL IN 2012.

I ran:  4,057.44 miles in total

AND

3,021 on my TREADMILL!!  So, who won Michelle? [let me know!]

*****

ALSO, not sure if you remember the review I did on 3-DSoles.com  - I've been using them ever since and loving them.  If your in the market for new CUSTOM insoles - give them a try. 

They are offering a 15% discount when you use the code: confusing2013
[love that "confusing" part] ;)

*****

Now, for the question the Pita would like me to ask my fellow running/workout friends.........

"Just HOW freaking many workout shorts/skirts does one treadmill runner need?"
[you can replace treadmill with "outside", "trail", "track"....etc.]

I've been binge buying as of late.  Those dang Tuesday morning emails from Lululemon.  Killin' me.  This purple beauty is one of my favs.

How many running/workout shorts do you own?

be. honest.

[I'll answer tonight --- after I see what kind of company I am in here. ;) ]

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!

"I'm Sorry" - Blake Shelton

Yes, I'm sorry, in advance.

This is probably going to be too long.
AND
This is a bit of a RANT.

I've had this post burning in my brain ever since the day after my birthday.

Because.............

That's when the emails started coming.  I deleted a few.  I replied to a few.  Funny how after I sat and wasted my time writing back........ 3 of the 4 emails [magically] came back "undeliverable", "unknown email", " no recipient".  Hmmmmmmmm.

OK.

Let me back up a bit.

As I'm sure 99.99% of you know.

I. love. my. treadmill.

LIKE - I looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove my treadmill. Ever since I set foot on one for my 24 hour treadmill run, I was sold.

I've trained on one EXCLUSIVELY for 2.5 years.  It works for ME.

I often get awesome emails from people asking me:

* what brand of treadmill I run on
* what treadmill I had before I bought my Woodway
* what treadmill I would suggest in a certain price point, etc.

[Let me add I LOVE answering questions, especially treadmill questions, I welcome them.]

To which I do my usual reply......

"I had a NordicTrack Elite XT.  I am NOT a fan of the company but the treadmill never did me wrong."

I also get a lot of people asking:

What does Woodway give you for all the plugs you send their way?

Ummmmmmmmm.  Nada.  Zilch. Zippo.  Zero.

I have NO "paids".  No sponsors.  No kickbacks.

I love their product.  I love the company.  I love the employees I have spoken to. 
I plug them because I believe in their product.

Which is WAY more than I can say for NordicTrack.

Now here's where I get a little feisty.

When people email [not comment but email] me and say:

"I'll take your 36 mile run seriously when you do it outside."
"It's easier on a treadmill"
"You could be a really great runner, if you trained outside"

There were two others that followed the same general subject.

So here are my replies, being that most emails bounced back:

"I did do that little 50 mile Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim run at the Grand Canyon [outside, on a trail] which I trained for on. my. treadmill.

Maybe a "great runner" isn't a 3:18 marathoner - but I'm happy with it.
and
I'll take your outside running a little more seriously when YOU run 36 on a treadmill."

Not sure how the Big Time Running Bloggers do it.
SkinnyRunner
HungryRunnerGirl
ShutUp + Run

I bow down to them.  Seriously.

My skin is way too thin.  Crap like this irritates me to no end.

If you hate the treadmill or "dreadmill".....  Sweet.  Great.  Awesome.

I'm not here trying to sway you to run on a moving rubber belt.
If you like the asphalt  - awesome. 
If you like dirt - sweet.

But seriously, to each their own.

36 Miles. 36 Acts. 36 Years.

[sorry one day late --- couldn't get my files to upload :( ]

2013.

I. love. you.

Yes, I know we are only 5 days in but what an awesome 5 days it has been.

Yes, today IS my Birthday.

Yes, I am a HUGE birthday LOVER.

FREAKING HUGE.  And my family knows it. ;)

Last year I ran 35 miles on my 35th birthday and loved it.

However................... it felt a little empty.

I know I can run.  I know I'm a little crazy on my treadmill.

So this year, I decided to do my "age in miles run" along with my take on Ann Curry's 26ACTS [info here]. 

But-----------I did 36 miles and 36 ACTS.

 

 

I had the best cheerleader ever for the last quarter mile.  Freaking love my girl.

And the 36 acts................ 

 

So. grateful. I. did. them.

As I AM the one who benefited the most from this.

I won't share each one individually as a few were done for neighbors and acquaintances.  Most were done anonymously but some were not.

* Peanut and I dropped of a sweet treat for a neighborhood friend.

* I randomly placed gift cards in books at a local public library.

of course, I HAD to put one in the "marathon training" book. ;)

* One day of being a courteous driver.  No honking. Allowing people in front of me in traffic.  This may seem like nothing but I'm a rather impatient driver.

* When I stopped to get the Pita his "get me better now soup" I paid for a persons "to-go" order while I was there [before they had arrived].

* We made banana bread and doorbell ditched them to random neighbors.

* Took Chipotle to a family whose Mom was sick.

* Paid for the McDonald's order behind me in the drive-thru.  Bet that guy wishes he had ordered more than a McDouble. [$1.08----do I know how to pick them or what?! ;) ]

* Sent a few dollars to someone I have never met but heard things had been tight [financially] for.

* Gathered carts at a grocery store [only 15-20] when all the carts were out on New Years Eve.

* We left change in all the vending machines we could find around a local mall.

* Left a gift card for my mailman.  He rocks.

Some "acts" were bigger than others in time and in cost but looking back on it . . . I certainly enjoyed the completely anonymous ones better.

Now...............WHY DO I SHARE this with you?

ONLY

ONLY

O N L Y...................in the hopes that it will motivate others to do "RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS"

This is now something I will do EVERY year on or around my birthday.  It was a BLAST to do a lot of these with my Peanut.  It has made her a lot more mindful of just how much one small, small kind act can impact a person's day ---- and more importantly HER day.

Thank you so freaking much for all the awesome comments left for me on "MY DAY" today.

I. am. so. grateful.

Emz

"Ruby Tuesday" - The Rolling Stones

Two Photo Tuesday.

This will literally be the most boring post ever.

However, these two photos [come very close to] summing up one of the best years in my life.

2 0 1 2 .

I know it just LOOKS like a sign and a hand written note but to me there is sooooooooooooo much more going on here.  [4's, My Racing Dawn, FREAKING & faith]. 

And this one...........................
while I am the one being made fun of..........the timing, the place, the skirts, the misspelled words, the fact my Pita was sitting beside me, the love in this photo......brings me to tears just looking at it.

So, once again, I do apologize for anyone reading this.
But I needed this post for me.  To remind me of just how freaking awesome this year has been.

Happy.  FREAKING. New. Year. Friends.