What is on your Christmas list?

I just got done reading Amanda's new post from Amanda@runninghood and LOVED her quote!

"Obsessed is how the unmotivated describe the dedicated"

Absolutely 100% true! No matter what it is about. Whether it be school, work, or in my case running/working out. We used to call the kids in school that got 99% on the exams "overachievers" because they ruined the curve. No, they were not obsessed overachievers, they were just dedicated. I am not obsessed with running, but I AM a dedicated runner who strives to become better. Why does that make me obsessed? :D

AND

 Yes, for Christmas, this obsessed runner wants new running gear and accessories. WHO CARES? ;)

Number 1 on my list is a good pair of compression socks. Last year I bought this cheapo pair from the local Walgreens and they help a little but are not very comfortable, and I think are too small. I get serious indents on my feet from these suckers. So, Santa, please put these under the Christmas tree this year!

Number 2 on my Christmas list is one of these bad boys:

 

I want this black and purple one! My 2 favorite colors! On my long runs I usually carry my handheld water bottle which has only a big enough pocket to fit my Gu Chomps and my car key. So no phone :( Unless I am wearing a jacket with pockets. I saw these on many blogs and wanted one immediately! Especially for races. Last year, I had to ask a stranger to use her phone at the finish line because I couldn't find my husband! Plus, the hubby likes to have a way to get a hold of me when I am gone for my long runs. 

The iFitness belt is made of a water resistant neoprene pouch that will stretch to hold your phone, keys, ID, and any other little things that you carry on your run. There are also 2 reflector strips in the front, and 1 on the back for night time runs. BIG PLUS for the hubby! ;) There are also 2 toggles attached to the front to secure your race number. No more safety pins on your expensive running gear! YAY! So there you have it...my top 2 runners accessories on my Christmas list this year. I CAN definitely add more...I always LOVE new running clothes! ;)

Another Give Away!

I'm sure some of you know that I am participating in the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge hosted by Amanda at  

RuntoTheFinish. Well she is hosting an amazing giveaway where you have the opportunity to win some FREE ALO gear. Check out the company HERE. They have some really nice looking gear. It would be great to win some! :)

Visit Amanda's give away! ALO Give Away

Winner selected 12/22!!!!!!!

iFitness belt GiveAway

I have been wanted to buy one of these bad boys since after racing my 1st half marathon last year! 

I tried the whole stashing you phone in your sports bra thing...and BOO on that, I ended up handing my phone to my hubby when I passed him at mile 3! Then for my 2nd half marathon, I had to ask someone at the finish if I could use their phone so my hubby could find me! So, I really really want to either win one or get one for Christmas...hint, hint :)

Kim from (Just) Trying is for Little Girls is having a giveaway! YAY! Check it out!

Contest ends 12/24!

Make it snow...on your blog!

Lauren from 26.2 is the new 30 posted this morning a really cool and easy tutorial on how to make it snow on your blog. I tried it but since my background was white, you couldn't see it. So I found a new blog design and now it is snowing on my blog! SO COOL! Especially for me, since this southern California girl never sees snow! ;) 

Oh, and by the way, I want to steal her new blog name...I absolutely love it! Especially since I am planning on doing my 1st marathon the month before I turn 30!

http://www.whatmakesblog.com/2010/10/how-to-create-falling-snow-effect-into.html

Holiday Bootie Buster Week 2 & 3

I needed to do this post but have been having horrible migraines lately and to top it off, a slight sinus infection and cough. SUCKS! But I have still been keeping up with the challenge :) Proof that it is a GREAT motivator!
Week 2  (Nov 27th-Dec 3rd)
I earned 22 exercise points. Not as much as week 1's 28, but this was the week that I was quite sick with a 3 day migraine and sore throat. So not bad. I'm pretty sure that I m that I also ate my 7 servings of fruit and vegetables 1 day (better than none!) but I can't remember exactly what I ate, so I didn't count it in my points.
I did 2 kick boxing classes(an hour each), and ran 10 miles total for the week. (2,6,2) I made this week a cut back week instead of next, due to being sick...so it worked out!
Week 3 (Dec 4th-Dec 10th)
So far I have earned 16 points. I did an hour kick boxing class and then ran 9 miles today. I also ate 7 servings of fruit & veggies on Monday...yay me! :) The plan is to end the week with 28 points again like week 1. I still have planned to do a recovery 2 miles tomorrow along with a weight lifting class, then on Friday another hour of kick boxing.

As far as training for my half marathon in January...after this week is over, I have 6 weeks until race day! I am up to 9 miles and feel pretty confident in my training so far. I find it strange to me that treadmill running slows me down. Not sure why, but when I do my long runs on the treadmill, it takes much more effort to sustain my goal pace than it does on the road. So the longs runs that I do on the treadmill are always around a 10:05-10:20 pace; and my road long miles are in the mid 9:30's. I always thought that it was the opposite. Oh well, it is a confidence booster in this case, as it it easier to keep my 9:23 goal pace on the road. Below is the link to my next 6 weeks of training! I'm, getting excited! I really really want to beat my last years time!
Last 6 weeks of training