Tarheel 10 Miler

So I was unable to run the Tarheel 10 Miler today. I have been sick all week and I just knew my body would not be able to handle it. It was such a disappointment, BUT it allowed one of my best friends to run her first race!

I could not be more proud of Kate! She ran 10 miles in just a little over a 10:00/mile pace. I am so proud of her for not quitting and giving it her all. She is a great friend and a great runner. Now I just need to get her to start running some half's with me :)

How cute is Kate? 

(Wearing a race bib that says "Lauren" haha!)

I basically have been moping around all day because I feel awful. Not an exciting day. But, I was looking at one of my favorite blogs, Peanut Butter Runner, and she posted a while ago on yoga stretches for runners. I thought this would be good to include since were on the last couple days of our Stretch for Seven Challenge.

So here are Jen's pictures of these poses. These are completely her pictures, not mine. 

Check out her informative post where she explains the benefits of these poses.

1. Downward Facing Dog

2. Low Lunge

     (Low Lunge Variation)

3. Pigeon

     (Pigeon Variation -- if you're experiencing knee pain)

I hope you all try these poses and really feel the benefits. (Especially you, Kate, after all that running!)

Beat by the Heat

Yesterday I completed a 5 mile run in 85 degree weather and it was quite the challenge. When I finally finished I was exhausted and felt overheated. This made me really impressed with all the people who completed the Boston Marathon yesterday in the record-breaking heat!

After my run, I took a cold shower and refueled with a delicious ProBar.

These bars are so good, but I recommend not eating them unless they are a meal replacement or for pre/post workout fuel. My reasoning behind this? They contain around 400 calories...

I have heard a lot of good things about Lauren Fleshman's Picky Bars and so I bought a couple this week to try. They are pretty pricey, but extremely delicious. I thought I'd like the Smooth Caffeinator the best, but I actually liked the All in Almond flavor far better.

I wish Lauren Fleshman would just sponsor me to run really crappy half marathons so that I could eat these bars for free... haha I guess that's not going to happen. People generally get sponsors for being particularly good at something, not particularly mediocre. 

This makes Day 3 of the Stretch for Seven Challenge. I still have this one annoying knot in my left quad that is causing me a great deal of pain when I foam roll. So annoying.

Today ended up being an unintentional rest day due to the fact I have an exam tonight (what am I doing blogging and not studying?!) and because I feel a little sick. I'm pretty sure Lillie and Lola may be the culprits... That's okay though, I forgive them because of their immense cuteness.

Have a good Wednesday evening and keep up the stretching!

Introduction to Next Week's Challenge!

I'm so excited to announce a challenge that Bess and I have created for the upcoming week!! It's a challenge that your body will definitely be thanking you for! We're calling it the Stretch for Seven Challenge ~ the idea is that all participants will partake in at least 20 minutes of stretching per day.

What counts as stretching? Yoga, Foam Rolling, Dynamic Stretching, Static Stretching... you choose!! 

Bess made an image that all participants are encouraged to post in their blogs, or wherever they want, to show that they are participating in the challenge. The challenge begins Monday, April 16th, and will wrap-up Sunday, April 22nd. (Check out Bess's introduction to the challenge here.)

I am currently on a foam rolling kick. I think it is because it gives me that "hurt-so-good" kind of feeling. If you have ever gotten someone to knead out muscle knots, that's what foam rolling feels like. It can be painful, but by the end of the week you will see a HUGE improvement. Your muscles loosen and it becomes significantly less painful.

I'll be posting an image demonstrating 6 of my favorite foam rolling exercises on Monday, so stay tuned!!

Have a relaxing Saturday (my day off from exercising!)