Providence Marathon Training Update #1

As I announced in my Winter/Spring 2016 Race Preview post last week, I'm training for my fourth marathon, the Cox Providence Marathon, which will be on May 1st. I wanted to do some periodic training updates for you all to share my experience of juggling marathon training with all of my other commitments and document what it's really like!

Marathon training is off to a slow start this time around. I've found that I get very bored with the repetitiveness of my training program at the very beginning, and I'm now enjoying my long runs a little bit more. (I mean, I've only gotten up to 7mi so far so it's not that far quite yet, but still.) I've been having a lot of knee pain lately, so I'm often resigning myself to the elliptical which isn't the best option for training, but it's better than the treadmill that tends to put me through a lot of pain. 

Of course, I still definitely prefer getting outside than heading to the gym to get my miles in, but it's usually dark before I leave work and I'm the actual worst at waking up in the morning, so during the week I'm confined to indoor running. We do have an indoor track that I like to utilize when it's free and my run is short (a shortened indoor track means 3mi = 24 laps.... yikes), so at least I can put that in the plus column! I'm trying to stay outside for my #SundayRunday long runs if I can help it.

Overall, I think I'm off to a positive start. Runs will progressively get tougher, of course. This weekend I have 9 miles on the schedule which I haven't run in *forever* (not since Colt State in November, I'm pretty sure) so we shall see how it goes. Regardless, I just got a running wardrobe update (thanks to Brett!) consisting of the most awesome leggings you will probably ever see. If that's not motivation enough to wear them around to show them off, I don't know what is!

Bear Leggings | Yoda Yoga Leggings (no longer available) | Space Leggings | Light Saber Leggings (no longer available)

Looking forward to continuing my marathon training journey for the fourth time.
It's going to be a great experience and I'm hoping it's my best marathon yet!

Etsy Wishlist {January 2016}

Though I don't have a ton of disposable income (insert obligatory complaint about student loans here), I have developed quite the addiction to perusing Etsy over the past few months and obsessing over all of the cuteness that is that website. If you start going through the site and favoriting items and shops, the site draws you in by recommending similar items and shops, which you then in turn favorite more items and shops, then it recommends EVEN MORE items and shops... it's just a vicious circle. An adorable, handmade, vicious circle. Ooof. Here are the items that I'm eyeing lately (and if I'm honest with myself will likely be purchasing in the near future #noselfcontrol #whatretirementfund).

Fabric FauxDori from MelonJournal

I've fallen back into a bit of a FauxDori/traveller's notebook obsession and I blame all the fabric FauxDori creators on Etsy. I'm particularly fond of the shop MelonJournal - they have so many designs for covers, and they will customize the hell out of your notebook! You can add pockets, pen loops, charms, etc. I'm really tempted to buy one for the traveling I'll be doing in the coming weeks! (As if I need MORE journals and notebooks....)

Kawaii Jim Halpert Paperclip from Shopsomebunnyy

I first saw these on FiloAlly's Instagram and instantly fell in love! Shopsomebunnyy makes these hilariously awesome cutouts of characters from The Office as well as a few of my other favorite shows like Parks & Recreation and New Girl (which unfortunately are all sold out at the moment... D:). I love that every single one has a bow on it to make it "kawaii" - a little playful poke at the kawaii stationary trend! These are so silly and awesome and I want them all.

FauxDori Inserts from LyraandCo

Speaking of FauxDoris, LyraandCo makes the CUTEST inserts! A step away from the plain-Jane covers, this shop offers inserts with all sorts of cute patterns on them. I'm particularly fond of the fox insert (shown above) and the citrus fruit inserts that are in the shop, but there are just so many to choose from. I have a feeling that I will be spending lots of my play money on this shop. So, so cute!

Pastel Kawaii Notebook/Planner Stickers from LemonPaperCo.

When I put in a sticker order from LemonPaperCo. on Black Friday, a sample pack of these adorable planner stickers was thrown in with my order and I LOVE THEM! I totally need to purchase more as the sheet is almost gone, but they are so adorable and the perfect way for me to note when it's time to sit down with my planner and plan out the week. These also come in a daisy design which I am, of course, in love with as well.

Stuffed Plush Monster from CreepyandCute

Kind of straying away from the stationary theme... How cute is this little plush?! This came across as a recommended item for me and Etsy was *dead on* - I love this little guy! He's so cute and would make a great addition to my desk at work or my bookshelf at home. I'm always looking for cute and interesting new items to spruce up my environment and this is something that I feel would always make me smile. :) Those gap teeth and the ice cream? Come on. Way too adorable.

Do you use Etsy? What's your favorite online shop?

Let me know in the comments!

Winter/Spring 2016 Race Preview

I'm not sure what's worse - winter running or summer running. This winter I will be training for a Spring Marathon for the first time which means many, many cold runs are in my future. Cold weather is definitely not my fave, but at least it's easier to breathe! I'll be running a few races leading up to the big day in May, so I thought I'd share them with you all!

Puppy Love Run

It was really difficult for me to find a race that falls on the weekend I need to be running a half marathon for training, so I opted to go virtual. This is a virtual race hosted by Will Run for Bling and Charity and it goes to benefit the American Humane Association - a charity that works toward the protection of children, pets, and farm animals from abuse and neglect - something I can of course get 100% behind. I'll be going for the Half Marathon option on this race (you can also opt to run a 5K or 10K if halves aren't your cup of tea) and am planning to run it on February 21st (which just so happens to fall during the time I'm planning on being in Southern Florida - wahoo!!!). I'm excited to see what running a virtual half will be like!

Moose on the Loose Half Marathon & 4K

Organized by the same company that puts on the Wolf Hollow Half Marathon and the Colt State Park Half Marathon, the Moose on the Loose Half Marathon & 4K is something I'm hoping to participate in in April! This race is pretty close to my marathon date, so I'm not sure if I'll go for the Half Marathon or if I should play it safe and stick to the 4K (maybe find a partner and run the relay?) but regardless, this race was close to my parents and I thought it would be a fun way to spend the day together!

Cox Providence Marathon

And here's the biggun'. I will be running marathon #4 in state #4 on May 1st - the Providence Marathon in Providence, RI. I will be turning 26 a few days after the race, so what better way to celebrate my 26th year of life than to run 26 miles? >_> I'm pretty sure my good running buddy Louie will be joining me for the fun as well! I will be giving periodic updates on how my marathon training is going right here on FivEleveNinety, so stay tuned for that! I'm looking forward to another marathon experience and to run in a city I've never run in before! :)