Saturday, April 10, 2010

Uses for Tampons and an 18 Miler

Running tip:  Help your body recover after a long run by feeding it some protein within the first 30-60 minutes after finishing. Chocolate milk, an egg sandwich or a bagel with peanut butter are all good options.

Wow, you guys are good at the hidden object game. You must have read Highlights magazine when you were children. I used to love the hidden pictures. Still do.

You also really know your tampons. Yes, it was a tampon. Naturelle brand. Let me tell you why I have this particular tampon when I don’t even wear tampons (I can’t. I had Toxic Shock Syndrome way back when and still am not supposed to wear them). You see, I was at the Taylor Swift concert the other night with my eight year old daughter and 16,000 other screaming girls under the age of 15 using their glow sticks as microphones. Anyway, we went to the bathroom and I noticed free tampons and pads. I don’t turn down anything that is free, so I stuffed it in my purse. You never know, one of the 16,000 screaming girls could have gotten her period for the first time and I would need to save the day. Always good to have it on hand. After all, I can think of lots of other uses for a tampon (besides the obvious):

  • Spin the tampon game
  • Trail marker so you don’t get lost
  • Plugging up holes in a boat
  • Pull cord for a lamp or ceiling fan
  • Rescue float for Lifeguard Barbie
  • Dabber for greasy pizza

Winners!

Beth gets a giveaway entry for being the first to guess what it was

Tara gets three entries for guessing the brand (dang girl, you nailed it, did you study tamponology in school or something?)

Paul gets three entries for being the only guy brave enough to write the word “tampon” in the comments

Shellspotgirl gets three entries for guessing the brand

Today I got up at the ass crack of dawn to get in my 18 miler before the chaos of the day began. It was pretty uneventful. I ran the first half with no music and tried to stay focused on my breath and to be at one with my body. For the second half, I decided to screw being present with my body and opted to be distracted by my iPod. I find I’m faster with the music. I tried Hammer/Heed products today – Melon flavored drink and an apple spice gel. These products are much less sweet than most others and I liked the lack of sugar. I had absolutely no tummy trouble. Just a couple skid marks. Success! I also ran in my new Nike Dri Fit socks, which are supposed to protect from blisters. They worked like a charm.

 Overall, I did 18.5 miles in 2:44 with an avg pace of 8:54.

I’ve only got two long runs left – another 18 and a 15. Only four weeks until race day.

Post run, I went directly to the Starbucks drive thru where I got a large coffee and an egg sandwich. Decided get some good karma points and told the cashier I wanted to pay for the lady behind me. Turns out she ordered some large ass drink and a sandwich. I wanted to be nice, but not that nice. Don’t people just order small hot chocolates anymore?

What was your long run this weekend? Does music make you faster? How many weeks until your next race?

Drinking: Grande mild coffee with extra cream

42 comments:

  1. Music is an absolute must for me. I try to keep it low enough that it doesn't drown out the background noise and I can still hear what's going on around me. I've TRIED to run without it, but it's SO HARD!

    Two weeks till the Country Music 1/2 in Nashville!!!

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  2. Put in 19 miles this morning for the first time ever. Next race is a half in 2 weeks.

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  3. I like my music on longer runs...which are only about 6 or so miles for me..but I find that it gets annoying after awhile! 1 Week till race day!

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  4. I thought you were going to say that you used the tampons to flug your ears at the concert. Another use!

    Wicked 18++ miler!! Awesome pace and bonus that you didn't have to pop a squat.

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  5. 5 miles is my long run - yes music influences my pace and my next race a 5k is in a week.

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  6. Glad you tried the Hammer...it's never gone wrong for me.

    Had my first half-marathon this morning....feel pretty good...and Hammer products fueled that race....boooyaaaa!!!!

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  7. my long run is tomorrow... and I only have 5 miles on the schedule but might push myself a bit further. we'll see. And yes, music definitely can make a difference for me...

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  8. 3 weeks until my first half!!!! I order a medium hot chocolate every day at Starbucks...you can pay for me anytime. :) How sweet of you to pay for that lady!

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  9. Nice pacing. I use Starbucks as my post-run treat too.
    Glad everything worked for you. It makes such a difference when things go well.

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  10. You should have some major karma coming your way! I never use music on my runs, except when I'm stuck on the treadmill. But then again, I usually have running partners, so that makes a big difference. Good job on getting 18 in!

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  11. I ran 22 today, and my mraathon's in 3 weeks!! I like listening to music on some long runs and on tempo runs.

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  12. Only 16k for me WITH music. About 8 weeks till race day.

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  13. I've got a 20 miler tomorrow (mostly solo :( ) Then it's taper time! My wife placed second in the American River 50 Miler this morning. I think she's ready for a taper too!

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  14. Great 18.5 Beth! Thanks for the bonus points, BTW. I am ALL ABOUT MUSIC when I run. Even if I am with people. I got to keep one ear plugged in at all times. I listen to alot of "jam" bands, therefore, I love getting emmersed in a long stretch of music. If a 20 minute song comes on, then I know I am set for a couple miles+. But, Roll With the Changes by REO Speedwagon is my favorite 'Motivate' song right now.

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  15. I did 16 today in 2:17 (8:36 pace). It was tough, but doable. (Is that a word?) I LOVE music when I run. It helps me think of people, things, and sometimes even gets me singing!
    I was annoyed on my run today when two drunk people stopped to ask me directions to their next winery. They literally pushed me off the road to get me to stop. I should've sent them to the hills!

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  16. Congrats on the last long run; it feels good, doesn't it? I did 23 today as my last run for Eugene, which is May 2nd. Yippee.

    Way to go on the Starbucks good deed; I think I will try that next time.

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  17. My "long" run consisted of 2.2 miles this afternoon. I felt like ass and knew I was still not recovered from my ride on Thursday. Oh well they can't all be great runs, can they? Noticed you tried Hammer products. I am a HUGE proponent and love everything in their line as well as their supplements. I agree that the gels are not overpowering in taste or sugars and are very easy on the GI. I just received huckleberry, raspberry and chololate gels. The chocolate recoverite is the bomb! Very tasty post run as a shake with a handfull of frozen berries and a frozen banana. Yum!!!

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  18. I have a 11-miler to run tomorrow. I am still debating on the Country Music half in Nashville. Regardless, I will be running 13.1 that weekend or the next in Nashville or around my place.

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  19. okay, god bless you for going to a Taylor Swift concert w/your daughter and more so for 'bringin' home the bacon'..the tampon bacon that is

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  20. I need to try some new gu's...I have been using gu chomps and some others and my stomach usually always feel sick. I will have to check those out since they worked so well for you.

    I have just this week stopped using my ipod and I have liked it, but I do like having it too...certain songs come on and it for sure makes me run faster! Love it.

    75 DAYS until my first marathon! Wowzer.

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  21. Haha, this post is hilarious! You forgot to add something to stop a runny nose! :)

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  22. You ask questions so I must answer. Love that you used hammer products. They are great! I don't run with music because I run in busy places and my music desperately needs to be updated. My so-called long run is 6 miles this weekend and 3 of it is with a group of beginner runners.

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  23. I had my first 11 miler ever this weekend! I use my ipod not to improve my pace (I don't think there is an improvement for a snail's pace) but I use it to improve my mood while running.

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  24. My longest run is 6.2 miles, did it this morning as I have a 10K race scheduled for next Sunday.

    I don't run without music. It happened once that my battery was empty, luckily I was almost done with my run but I didn't like it at all.

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  25. But can glow sticks be used as tampons?

    Long run this weekend? 5 lousy miles.
    Weeks until next race? Maybe infinite.
    Music that makes me faster? Ramones.

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  26. I did 18 miles this morning and thought of you. I was jogging along, working out the morning farts when all of a sudden - RED ALERT - it was not just a fart. Got it clamped in time but had to find a bathroom fast - luckily the assisted living place nearby was open. Thanks, old people!

    Aren't you glad I think of you when I have to crap in the middle of a run?

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  27. When I was little I remember my bother and I tieing two of them together and using them for num-chucks. my mom was NOT impressed.

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  28. Did 7 miles... thinking about doing a 15K next Saturday.

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  29. 14 miles Saturday. 2 weeks until my marathon.

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  30. I ran 5 miles for the first time this weekend, and yes it's my longest run and it felt great, I didn't have my ipod because I was running with a friend, which is motivation in itself.
    I have an 8k this weekend, so I'm super excited!

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  31. I think the music helps push me to a faster pace. However, if I did not do the music selection carefully, it can slow me down too! I hope you have a great week!

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  32. hmmmmm...I'll have to try this Hammer/Heed business..

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  33. Tampons probably work well for earplugs at 15-year old concerts :). You are such a nice mom, not sure I cold go to that concert - yikes. Nice job on the 18-er, girlie - it's getting close to marathon day - wooohooo!

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  34. Tampons also work well for bloody noses.

    Ran 12miles with a new running group. The miles went by fast with good people and good convo

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  35. My long run for the weekend was 10 miles, but I turned it into a 15 miler and walked two more afterwards. (see blog for reason)
    I am glad to hear you also liked the Hammer products. I have been very happy with most of them as well. (If you buy from their website in the future use the link from my blog and save me some money.)
    I stopped listening to music while running last year. No, I did not find that it made me faster.

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  36. It sucked! But you already read that. I hope to read something happier in your race report next month.

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  37. I ran my first Half Marathon on Sunday. It was great. Only regret is that I thought I could have given more, but there's another chance at it on May 23rd and it's FLAT! :)

    What was the Hammer / Heed products? Can you offer a link? I have a whole box of GU but I can't stand the stuff. For my half, I used E-Drenaline at mile 5 and then an Accel-Gel (has a little protein in it) at 11.

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  38. Super run and hey, YOU QUOTED Buddha on my blog! You never cease to amaze me with your depth and breadth....from poop to the very spiritual. You didn't make that quote up, did you? Just wonderin'.

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  39. I ran my first half marathon on Sunday. I ran it in 2:12. I am pretty happy with that.

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  40. seriously you are one of the funniest people and I think half the time you aren't even trying!

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  41. 20 miles and 50k in 2 weeks. Woo hoo!

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  42. your awesome!!!!! :) way to go girl!!! :) Thanks for the laugh!

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