I geeked out over fun running tools

I know I really geek out over something when I tell one of my friends about it thinking he would totally get it and be on board with me, and he isn't, and confirms that I really did geek out.

Here's what happened.  I was playing around in the training software I installed on my laptop where I can upload  data from my Garmin Forerunner 305.  I realized that there is an option to view your runs with Google Earth.  Of course I had to install Google Earth!

Then, I later whent for a run at Castlewood Park, where I have a race in February.  I set out to do 6 miles on at least part of the official course.

Later that day I was uploading my data and looking at it via Google Earth and had a great idea!  I remembered seeing a map of the course for the run on the Big River Running website.  I thought maybe it was a Google Earth map.  So I pulled it up.  So I kept it up and I brought up my run from earlier that day.  And then I spent about 15 min comparing the two. zoom in, zoom out.  zoom in, zoom out.  Move the map around.  Ponder.  Get nervous that the two large hills I attempted to run up were indeed part of the course.  Zoom out.  Explain to Husband how awesome it was that I could compare the two.  Go back to my maps when he doesn't share my excitement.    I then got really excited knowing that each time I ran at the park and attempted to run parts of the course (remember..I get lost the majority of the time I run here..especially if I'm trying to do a new route) I could compare the two and see how I did.  I could then know how to change my run the following weekend.   My goal is to be able to run the full course, without walking any hills, and at my 10 mile race pace, before the actual trail race.

I really don't know why it is I like to view all my running stats and view them, like I really know what I'm looking at.  Like I really am an elite athlete in training.  All I know, is that I do. And it's a lot of fun.  And I'm a total geek.

Friday Fill-In

1. It's 2011; I WILL run my first half-marathon.

2. Snap! Those darn pickles.

3. Thankfully I have my sanity, sometimes.

4. Cherish the best things in life.

5. I am so ready to drop kick my co-worker, and she didn't even do anything today.

6. A big bowl of potato chips sounds really really good right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing in front of the tv, probably playing a pc game, tomorrow my plans include attempting to run 6-7 miles at Castlewood state park and Sunday, I want to stay in bed and read all day but instead I have several things I need to do in the kitchen!

Zoya Fingernail Polish - try some for (almost) free

I was introduced to the Zoya company last year when I was able to purchase some products at a huge discount  this past November. I used the fingernail polish a couple of times, the remover once, and have been meaning to blog a review since.  I didn't blog about the deal last November because I had not used the product yet and didn't want to recommend something I had no experience with.  They have another deal right now and this time around I can happily recommend them.

Zoya offers a HUGE line of fingernail polish.  The zoya company is

the first to remove toxic ingredients such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde and DBP (dibutyl phthalate) from its formulations

Did you know formaldehyde is in your normal fingernail polish? I bet you didn't.  Kinda scary huh?    I wanted to try the Zoya brand because it didn't contain any toxic ingredients.  I tend to wear fingernail polish the majority of the time, only times I don't wear it is when I want to give my nails a break and leave it off for about a week, which happens once a month or so.   So for me, finding a fingernail polish without the harmful chemicals was important.

I've worn two of the colors that I bought from Zoya. I kept each one on my nails for 2 weeks.  I used their base coat and top coat, as well as the color itself.  After the 1st week the tips were a bit chipped but not bad enough for me to remove the color. It wasn't too  noticeable and I wanted to see how much longer I could wear it.  It lasted another week before I had to remove it because it was pretty chipped.  I should note that I'm hard on my nails.  After using their nail polish twice, I used an OPI nail polish, and it was chipped and I was ready to remove it before a week was up.  I used the Zoya base and top coat with the OPI color also.  In my book, Zoya was the much better product and lasted much longer.

For me, I'll be buying Zoya from now on instead of other brands available.   I do realize I'll have to order it online since it's not available in local stores, but I'm ok with that.

Now, I did mention there's another deal going on right now.  I read about the deal on The Crunch Wife and wanted to spread the word (after I ordered some more polish for myself).    You are able to get 3 FREE bottles of the nail polish (they retail for $7/each) by using the code FB2011 during checkout.  The only thing you will pay is shipping, which for me was $6.95.    While you are placing an order, if you need more fingernail polish remover I do recommend theirs, it worked great.    Oh, and I believe the coupon is only good  until January 7th.

 

No grocery store visits for 1 year, could you do it?

One woman in Texas did, do you think you could?  Carla Crownover watched Food, Inc. (a documentary that I highly recommend) and was so disgusted by what she learned, she decided to go 1 full year of buying locally and not shopping at a grocery store.  She did it too.   You can read her full story at Take Part.   She also has her own blog, Austin Urban Gardens. 

I have to admit, I look at this challenge and go "There's no way I could do that."  But then, when I really think about it, could I do it?  We have a really good farmer's market that is downtown, somewhat close to where I work but not at all close to where I live. I could get all my veggies and fruits there. I think I could even get butter.  I know there's a butcher there as well, which I would assume is all local meat but would have to check it out to know for sure.

The most recent Change the World Wednesday revolved around eating locally.  I updated it not too long ago talking about how I've switched to buying the milk I drink from a company that is somewhat local, Oberweis Dairy. They are as local as I think I would get.   I also mentioned a grocery store called Local Harvest that sells items grown/produced locally.  While that would still be a grocery store, the items would be local so I think that would have to count right?  I suppose I could get meat only at Whole Foods, where you can look on their website and see where your meat is coming from (I know the beef they sell in the store I shop at does come from Missouri).  

It looks like I have the means to buy most stuff locally, without stepping foot in a traditional grocery store.  One thing I know would be a problem would be all the nuts that I eat. I eat trail mix at least 5 days of the week. Where in the world would I get nuts? If I'm not buying it from a local store I would be ordering it online, which defeats the purpose in my opinion.

Hmm..It seems like I need to seriously look into this. It seems like I would need to change some of my shopping habits, going out on my lunch break to shop at the farmer's market for fresh fruit and produce would be one. 

What about you?  Give this some thought, then let me know, do you think you could do this?  If you don't think you could get away from the grocery store 100%, do you think there's a way you could make some changes to not visit as often?

Hoo are you? #27

I'm a day late, but decided to play anyway.

1. Did you make any New Year's Revolutions?

I don't make New Year's Revolutions. I feel that most don't last, so it's best to make changes and start on things when you are thinking of them and when you feel it's best.  That doesn't mean I don't have goals for 2011 though.  

2. What are some goals you have for 2011?

I posted a bit about my goals already.  One, I've signed up for a half-marathon for this year.  I'm also planning to train for a short-triathlon.  Both of these I couldn't really start training for until 2011. (I can't start swimming till we open the pool and I had to take weeks off from running in Dec. due to being sick).  I also plan to start learning HTML (again).

3. What is something that you got for Christmas?

My absolute favorite give was the Garmin Forerunner 305.  I love it so far! I love seeing my mile splits, I love tracking my heart rate. I love everything about it, so far.

4. Did you see any good movies over the holiday season? 

I didn't watch many movies or tv, for that matter.

5. Do you do your own taxes or have someone do them for you?

We buy software and then the Husband does them. Lucky me, I don't even touch them, other than to sign my name where I'm told. 

Things to come in 2011

I have lots of things planned for 2011, some bookish/blog related and others more personal.  I'm not one for doing new years resolutions so I won't call it that.  More, it's just some things I am going to be working on this year and for various reasons it felt best to wait until 2011 to start.

Book/Blog related

As a lot of you know, I tend to play around with my blog look a lot. I seem to pick something that I really like, then find I'm not satisfied with it after a couple of months.  I think part of that is that I just love change, so as much as I like it, I feel the need to change things after a bit.  This year I'll be participating in Bloggiesta.  I plan to revamp my blogs that weekend.  Well, honestly, I'll probably start the week leading up to it.  I've found there are several things I want to add to my blog posts yet I'm having trouble doing that since I used a template that somebody else designed and not a normal blogger template. So back to a normal blogger template I'll go.

I'm also going to be putting a disclaimer on the side bar of my blog stating that all books reviewed are either ones I own or I have borrowed (from friends/family or the library) unless I state otherwise.  If I review a book that I did receive in hopes I would review it, I'll state that in the review itself. (Note: this only pertains to my book blog).

I'm also going to play around with the format of my reviews until I find something that I think works best for me. I like the layout of my reviews, for the most part, but might make some changes.  We'll see though, I have to come up with some ides to make it better first. (Note: this only pertains to my book blog).

Runs & Working out

2010 was the year that I embraced a healthier lifestyle and started to eat healthier. I'm still working on that too, it's a long slow process for me.  Along with eating healthier I noticed my runs improving and I loved that.   Last year I signed up for a couple of hard (for me) races for early 2011.  I've officially begun training for those.  That also means that I will probably mention my workouts and running on this blog.  I can't help it!  Running is such an important part of my life that it's hard not to talk about it sometimes.  First up, I have a 15k (9.3) trail run on February 26th.  Lucky for me it's at the park right by my house that I tend to run at on the weekends.  Unfortunately, that also means I know how hard the race is going to be because of the hills. I can run those hills now, but low mileage. I don't think there is any way I could go out today and run 15k on those hills tomorrow. So, I've begun training for that.   Shortly after I complete that race, I'll have the Go! St. Louis half marathon the 2nd weekend in April.  This is the first time I've ever attempted a half marathon.  I trained for a 10 mile race this past November, but that's the most I've ever trained for (in terms of mileage).  I'm nervous, but excited.   I have some health issues I'm working with dr's on now and I worry that will hinder my training (possibilities of some out-patient surgeries), but signed up for the 1/2 marathon anyway in hopes that it would be exactly what I need to not get depressed and to keep me active.  

Last year I also got it in my head that I would like to do a short triathlon.  This comes from the girl who has an in-ground swimming pool..but didn't even swim 1 lap in it last year.  I also don't own a bike.  I talked to Husband about it and he doesn't think I can do it, since he knows how I don't swim.  He said that if I can do the mileage needed for a short triathlon (1/4 mile) in the pool, then I can get a bike.  We figured out it would be 53 laps (each direction counts as 1).  Yikes!  In the past when I've attempted to do laps in the pool I get in about 15 minutes of swimming and stop because I'm out of breath and tired.  This will surely be a challenge for me.  I've already started working on it though, I'm back to doing the p90x upper body workouts more frequently in hopes of building up some upper body strength so when we open the pool, I can maybe last more than 15 minutes.

All this training, both races and the swimming, will take me through the summer. I have no idea what races I'll decide to do towards the end of this year, but I do know I'll do some. I've found that racing helps me keep my joy of running alive and keeps me from getting in a rut.  I also love being part of something with other runners, it makes me feel like I'm not alone. 

Personal - other

2010 brought me the realization that I wasn't too crazy about a career in IT support anymore. I realized that while I still like to work on pc's, I'm getting annoyed dealing with the people.  It's not that I'm not a people person, it's that IT support is treated so badly!  Sure, a lot of people appreciate us and what we do for them, but there are so many that get mad when we need to work on their pc's to fix an issue, they constantly talk down about pc's and how stupid they are, they won't return calls and then when you finally get them on the phone they complain that the issue hasn't been fixed yet, etc.  That's the part that I can't really handle any more.  I realized that I was starting to get annoyed with people when they didn't know something that I deem "simple" regarding pc's.  That's a huge indicator to me that I've had enough.  Because I know that things seem easier to me because I understand it better and in the past it hasn't bothered me that I would need to explain something. I don't mind people asking me questions, not on a personal level from friends and family, but find myself annoyed at work. Once I realized that, it was all I needed to start trying to think of a different career path.  So that being said, I'm going to focus on learning programing languages this year. I've learned HTML in the past and loved it.  Then I got away from it when I focused on learning the support side of pc's..   I attempted to learn java at one point and that didn't go well.   So this year I'm starting off with HTML again.   From there...I might attempt Java. That's a big MIGHT though. We'll see how well I do with HTML first.  This coincides with me planning to re-do my blogs too, so you might see changes periodically as I test something out.  

So there you have it!  Some things to come in 2011 for this blog and my life.  I have my hopes up that it will be an awesome year.

(For those of you who read both my blogs, I'm posting this on both)

It's time to buy yourself some presents

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and 2011 is off to a great start.   As for me, I've been buying myself some presents now that Christmas is over with, how about you?  I know, now is the time that a lot of people are worried about the credit card bills from all those Christmas presents bought and they stay inside and don't go shopping.  However, now is one of the perfect times to go out and buy yourself some stuff.  The deals are wonderful.  I'm one of those individuals that rarely pays full price for clothes and shoes (running clothes/shoes are the exception).  There are a couple times a year when stores heavily discount clothes and that's when I go shopping.  Right after Christmas happens to be one of those times.  So if you received some money or some gift cards, you might want to brave the crowds.

Here's what I've been up to the last couple of days.

Friday I went to a local mall to see Harry Potter at the theater with a friend. While there I decided to check out some of the stores. That's always a bad idea. lol!  I ended up getting a pair of pants at The Limited for $20. That's the price I normally pay for their pants, if you hit the sales it can happen. The pants normally retail for $60.   All of my work pants are either from Express, The Limited, or Ann Taylor.  They last for years, and I only buy them on sale when I can get them for $20 or less.  In fact, most of my jeans are from those three stores and Banana Republic, and again, I only pay $20 or less.

I'm also ecstatic that I found a pair of boots that actually fit me!  I have skinny legs and knee-high boots are always way too big and don't look right. I saw the boots I bought from the window and knew I had to try them on.  The are flat, come almost to my knee, and are black leather.  I love them!  I should probably get a picture of me wearing them and show them off.  The bast part?  The boots retail for $89.95 and I bought them for $29.95 before tax.  Can't beat that!   I have a rule when it comes to shoes, other than running shoes that is.  I refuse to pay more than $60 for a pair of shoes.  If I like them and they cost more, I look for sales and coupons until the price drops enough for me to get them.  Sometimes I end up missing out on the shoes, other times I pay way less than $60.  (I looked for a picture of the boots I bought online but couldn't find them!  Bastards.)

Of course, after finally finding a pair of boots I had to buy some leggings and a sweater dress (clearance at Kohl's and had $10 Kohl's cash that my MIL gave me).

As for today, today I got some good deals.  Sports Authority had some of the Nike Pro Cold Gear clothes on sale for $29.95 instead of $50.  This is one of the best prices I've seen for those clothes.  Luckily, I had been given a $50 GC for Sports Authority so I could get a pair of running tights. Armed with my GF and coupons, I went to the store and was able to buy a pair of running tights and a long sleeved cold gear running shirt for $50.  Seriously, it was $50 after tax thanks to the sale and the coupons.  While I don't like that the tights are a purple color (the only small they had!!!) I'm sure I'll get over it when I'm running. I'm not going out to make a fashion statement anyway.  haha!

So what am I trying to say? No, I'm not trying to brag about the awesome deals I got. I'm just showing you that there are great deals out there.  If you have some extra cash, it's worth seeing what's out there.  Make sure to look for coupons before you head out!

**** Last year I didn't include the savings for these types of purchases in my advertised savings total that I wrote about in my coupon post.  Mostly the advertised savings I totaled last year was just from grocery stores and stores like Target.   Knowing that I rarely pay full price for clothes and shoes, I'm going to keep track of what I save & spend this year on those items.  I'm interested to see what the totals end up being.  Although,  I'll have to hide the total spent from Husband though. lol!****