October Favorites & Random Thoughts During a Long Run

I ran 140 miles in October. I think that is the most I have ever run in a single month. I am pleased to say that my legs and feet are hanging in there (knock on wood). 

I realize that we are over a week into November, but I wanted to share some of things that I loved during October. 

Pukka Tea - Three Ginger

I found this tea at Whole Foods. Honestly, I bought a box because I loved the packaging. I am kind of a sucker for pretty packaging. This tea did not disappoint. The ginger flavor is pretty mellow, but still very refreshing. It is perfect after a rainy, cold run.

Apple Crisp 

I love this recipe that I found on Karlie Kloss' YouTube Channel. 

Oatmega Bars 

These bars are delicious! I am always searching for the perfect protein bar. I love Clif Bars but they are little on the sugary side. These bars are low in sugar, high in protein, and taste like a brownie! Since I discovered these, I have carried one with me everywhere. You can order them in bulk on Amazon and I found them at Whole Foods.

Nuun 

This is an every month favorite. These little drink tabs are packed with electrolytes and low in sugar. My favorite flavors are watermelon and lemon lime. 

Bark Thins
Just yum. I have a weakness for chocolate and these dark chocolate pieces are my favorite indulgence. I love the dark chocolate pretzel flavor, but you really can't go wrong. 

Gu Salted Caramel 

I never used to take Gu as fuel. I always used Clif Bloks for Chomps. But, I wanted to give Gu a try because it seemed like an easier way to get a boost of calories quick. I read a race rundown on JBirdRuns blog where she had mentioned that salted caramel was her favorite flavor of Gu, so I decided to give it a try. It was really good. Way better than I expected. Now this stuff comes with me on every long run. 

Joggers from Fabletics 

I only wear jeans or real pants if I have to. This means that around the house, I wear a lot of yoga pants or sweats. I ordered these joggers from Fabletics and they are so soft and cozy that I never want to take them off. If you order these, I would recommend getting them a size longer than you normally would. Mine are little short. 

Now or Never by Kendrick Lamar (featuring Mary J. Blige)

This song is on Kendrick Lamar's last album, good kid, m.A.A.d city. My boyfriend told me to add it to my running mix, and I am so glad I did. During my last few long runs this song has come on during some low moments and provided a needed to make it to the end. I also listen to it around the house, in my car, and when I am walking my dog. I just love it. 

Here are a few random thoughts I had during my last long run 

"Am I really going to run 22 miles?!"

(Beyonce song comes on) "I still really want to learn the 'Single Ladies' dance." (Step in a puddle and snap back to reality.)

via GIPHY

"I wonder if Kendrick Lamar goes running?" I have a lot of Kendrick Lamar on my running mix, maybe too much-- I do not think that is possible. (#dontkillmyvibe). 

"Should I stop at that bathroom? I think I will be okay." (2 miles later) "I really should have stopped at that bathroom, why is my bladder the size of a peanut?!" TMI, sorry....

"What mile was that? Was I supposed to take a Gu or Blok at this point?" 

"When I get home I am going to eat a blueberry bagel with Dad's homemade jam and butter. Oh! and eggs... and greek yogurt with the pumpkin granola... and an oatmega bar... and goldfish crackers...and a turkey sandwich"

"Come on lady tell me that I am at mile 21. I feel like I have been on mile 20 for an hour!!"

"One foot in front of the other, you can do anything! Just keep swimming!"

"I did it!!!!!!! Bring on the bagels!" 

This is what I ate after my 22 mile run. So many liquids.

What do you think about while you are on a long run?

Thank you for stopping by, 
Alyssa 

Good Deed Day

Today's post is very close to my heart.

One of my best friends, Laura, who I am running the Seattle Marathon with, lost her sister, Emily, when we were freshmen in college. Emily was an amazing young woman who did volunteer work all over the country and the world. She truly embodied the idea of "you must be the change you wish to see in the world." 

Laura and her family are some of the most generous, kind, and loving people I have ever met. I feel truly blessed to call Laura a friend. As a way to honor and remember Emily, Laura's family came up with the idea to do a good deed on November 8, the anniversary of Emily's passing. (What an amazing idea-- I am telling you this family is incredible!!).  Her family also established a foundation in Emily's name. You can learn more about Emily and the foundation here.

"In the midst of tragedy comes opportunity. Emily was a positive influence on all of us and it is our hope that she continues to be so.  It is our hope that we can all benefit from this community of Emily’s friends and family, and that we can bear her loss in a hopeful manner."

On the first Good Deed Day, Laura and I and several of our other college friends gathered to do a good deed or two. We collected canned food and took it our local food bank. We also bought flowers, bagels, and other fresh food items. We handed the flowers out to anyone that would take them, and we gave the fresh food and bagels to a group of people we always saw asking for money and/or food near our school.

This day was one of my favorite college memories. The look on people's faces when we handed them a flower was priceless, and I will never forget how thankful the group of people were that received the food. Doing good deeds on or around November 8 is a tradition among our group of friends and it is still going strong.  

The message of Good Deed Day has spread and many people do a good deed on or around November 8 in Emily's memory and honor. For example, Laura's family friend is a teacher and she tells her students all about Emily's life and her volunteer work and encourages each student to do a good deed on or around November 8. Each student reports back with his or her good deed. Her students are always excited to do good deeds or what they call "Emily things."

I am going to do a good deed this weekend. My friends and I plan to get together and go grocery shopping for non-perishable food items and then we will donate these items to our local food bank. We will also buy some flowers and hand them out to random people because that is just too much fun and sort of a tradition now.

I would like to encourage everyone to do a good deed around or on November 8th. Your good deed can be in honor of Emily, in the memory of someone you have lost, or simply to give back to your community during the holiday season.

Here are some ideas for good deeds. Not everything involves giving to a charitable organization or a huge time commitment. Some good deeds can just be making someone's day a little better or brighter.

• Donate to a local food bank. According to Washington Hunger Facts, 1 in 5 children live in a household that struggles to put food on the table. This fact is alarming, especially considering how much food is wasted each day. To donate to a local food bank, you can either go grocery shopping and then donate that food, or you can do a quick pantry survey and donate some non-perishable food items that are already in your home. You can also make monetary donations to most food banks.
• Have a "donate dinner." This is not something that I have done yet, but I really, really want to do this around Christmas time. To have what I am calling a "donate dinner," the host invites a group of people over for a dinner party or just a regular party, but instead of asking people to BYOB or to bring an appetizer, the host asks guests to spend that money on non-perishable food items that can be donated to a food bank. Then after the dinner the host donates all the items collected to the local food bank. Since people will not be bringing food or appetizers, the host also must make sure there is plenty of both for everyone at the party. 
• Hand out flowers. It is just fun to make people smile. Be safe about this one. Always do it in a group and never force a flower on someone (obviously).
• Donate blankets, coats, or other clothing items to a homeless shelter. Call ahead to find out what the organization needs and will accept. For those that live in the Seattle/Washington area, click here to learn more about where to donate items. 
• Pick up litter or trash. You can do this one as you are walking to work or completing your running route. Just maybe bring some gloves and hand sanitizer. 
• Pay for someone's coffee. I have had this happen to me and it is the BEST! (maybe that is a little dramatic) But really, it is so nice to pull up to the window and have the barista tell you that  your coffee is already paid for. If this happens to you, pay it forward! 
• Smile at people as you walk by. Super simple, but you would be amazed at how much this can make someone's day. 
• Donate money to a charitable organization of your choosing. 
• Call a friend or relative that you haven't talked to in a while. 
• Plant a tree or help spruce up a community garden or park. 
• Donate your time or items to a local animal shelter. I recently moved and found a bunch of supplies from when Baker was a puppy. I was able to donate most of them to my local animal shelter.  
• Make sandwiches and bring them to people that you see asking for money/food on the street. If this makes you nervous or uncomfortable, bring a friend or do it in a group and always trust your gut. But truly, this act is so simple and makes a huge impact. 
• Tip your barista and/or server more than you normally would.  
• Sponsor a Thanksgiving basket. I did this in law school. It was really fun. Depending on the organization, they will give you a description of the family that you are sponsoring and what they might need. Then you get to go shopping for them! This is best to do with a group and it's so much fun to put it all together.  Click here to learn about sponsoring a family in the Seattle area. 
• Download the Charity Miles app and go for a run or walk for a cause. I discovered the Charity Miles app through Tone It Up's website and their Fit for Fall Charity challenge. The Charity Miles app is such an amazing idea! Basically, businesses will sponsor you and donate to different charitable organizations for every mile that you run or walk. I have been using this since the middle of September. I have logged over 180 miles resulting in over $45 donated to different charitable organizations. I primarily have my donations go to the Alzheimer's Association, but there are several different charities to choose from. 
• Donate to the Emily Sandall Foundation.  The Foundation provides support to a school in Nepal where Emily volunteered and worked when she was in college. The Foundation's support ensures that children have access to free education as an alternative to child labor. The Foundation also provides scholarships to girls in Guatemala so that they can attend middle and high school.  To learn more about the Foundation's scholarship program in Guatemala click here. I will be donating to the Foundation on November 8, and would greatly encourage anyone who can to do the same. 

If you have any other good deed ideas please post them in the comments below! Also, if you do a good deed on or around November 8 please let me know in the comments or runninginteralia@gmail.com and I will share your story with Laura and her family!

Thank you for stopping by!

With love, 
Alyssa 
@runninginteralia 

September Favorites

September was a wonderful month. I spent most of it traveling through Europe with my boyfriend. We had the best time! I knew we would be walking a ton and that I needed to pack light, so I took a break from running while we were gone. Because of this, there is a slight travel theme to the list, but hopefully you enjoy it!

Jelly Belly Sport Beans

These sport beans are super yummy and convenient. They come in a resealable package, which is great for packing on a long run. I found mine at REI, but the link above directs you to Amazon.

Ezekiel 4:9 Rasin Bread 

This bread toasted with some peanut butter or Nuttzo has become my go-to pre run meal.  I found it at Trader Joe's and I am not sure what took me so long to discover it! 

Foot Rubz Massage Ball 

I discovered the Foot Rubz massage ball at REI, and I am so happy that I did! I try to use it before and after every run. I even brought it with me on our trip and used it after long days of walking.

The third stop on our trip: Florence, Italy 

21 Day Fix Program 

Strength training is an important component to training for any race, and I really struggle with it.  I just want to run! :) I am always trying to find new ways to motivate myself to pick up weights, and I noticed one of my friends posting about the 21 Day Fix workout program on Facebook. After talking with her about it, I bought the program. The workouts are only 30 minutes and I am sore after each one. Best of all, you can do them at home with minimal equipment. I will do another post about how I incorporate this program into my running routine. If you have any questions about this program or want more information, please feel free to comment below or send me an e-mail. 

Eagle Creek Travel Cubes 

Before I packed for our trip, I watched tons of YouTube videos to get some tips and tricks (also, great for procrastinating!). I discovered these packing cubes on Pretty Neat Living's blog.  These cubes are so handy for organizing, as well as for unpacking and re-packing quickly. Also, the double-sided cube was great for securing my dirty clothes and making sure that nothing became smelly (TMI sorry). The link above is for Amazon, but I found mine at REI. 

Merrell All Out Charge Shoes

These shoes were a lifesaver on our trip! They are light, breathable, supportive, and sturdy. 

Ginger Chews 

These are an every month favorite. If you have a sensitive stomach and like the taste of ginger, I highly recommend these. I always have some at my desk, in my purse, and in my kitchen. They were also great for traveling. I can get motion sick on planes and these saved the day. I found mine at Whole Foods, but you can also find them online on Thrive Market's website.

Simple Cleansing Micellar Water

All of Simple's products are great if, like me, you have sensitive skin. This product is especially soothing. I like to use it as a makeup remover before I cleanse my face at night, but when I am tired and/or lazy it can be used as both a makeup remover and cleanser in one! The link above is for ULTA, but I found my bottle at Fred Meyer. 

Tarte Eye and Cheek Palette

Before our trip, I purchased Tarte's Rain Forest After Dark eye and cheek palette. It has everything I use all in one place. It was the only makeup (besides foundation and mascara) I brought and needed while we were traveling. I may buy another Tarte pallet sometime soon. 

Downtown by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis 

This is my current favorite running and anytime pump-up song! Also, the video features an appearance by one of my favorite baseball players. So many favorites in one place :)

What were some of your favorites from the last month? 

- Alyssa 

The companies mentioned did not send me any of these products and this post is not sponsored in any way. I will always tell you if a post is sponsored or if a company sent me a product to review. I will always tell you my honest opinion.