5 Miles + 7 Links

in Tonya

Whoop whoop!  Guess who dragged her butt out of bed for a 5.0 mile run?

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This is definitely something to CELEBRATE because I haven’t run so far by myself since MARCH.  In fact, I can count my 5K + runs since then on one hand.  Injuries blow, but the thing about most acute injuries is that, if you rest up and take care of yourself, you’ll get back at it soon enough.  I’m thankful to be running again.

 

Pre-run fuel:

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I have been leaving my Garmin 305 at home lately.  I know the mileage markers without having to use my watch, and not having the time pressure makes the run so much more enjoyable.   I know I’m not as fast as I used to be, I don’t need a little chirping Garmin rubbing it in – ya feel me?

 

I think it took me about 56 minutes to run/walk 5.0 miles.  I was pleased!

 

Came home, dashed in the shower, and hopped in the car.  You know you’re a morning runner when you find yourself blow-drying your bangs with the car’s air conditioner…

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It works!  And yes, I am wearing a friendship bracelet like it’s 1995. 

 

Breakfast was a peanut butter, banana, and soy yogurt smoothie the size of my head:

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7 Links

 

The 7 Links post from Trip Base has been floating around the blog world, so I thought I’d jump on the bandwagon!  Bloggers are suppose to identify one post of theirs from each of the following categories:

 

Most beautiful post:  Lost and Found in the Garden: The story of how my neighbor, Tonya, told me about her brain cancer diagnosis. I implored readers to donate to her family and together, we raised over $20,000!  Unfortunately, Tonya’s diagnosis was recently upgraded from Stage 2 to Stage 3.  She is currently seeking entry to an experimental trial.

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Most popular post: My Review of the 30 Day Shred:  Even though I wrote this post more than two years ago, it is still by far my most Googled entry. 

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Most controversial post: My Rebuttal to Marie Claire:  Oh, what else is there to say about getting my name slandered in a national magazine?  Not much.  The post says it all.

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Most helpful post:  The Knee Pain Post:  Written as a summary of my battle with Runner’s Knee, this post documents the treatments that finally worked for me and got me back up and running.

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Post whose success surprised you:  Necessary? Part IV: I was really surprised by the response to my posts about getting abnormal pap smears and having cervical surgery.  I think this is one of those things that people just don’t want to talk about, even though many women go through it.   

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A post you feel didn’t get the attention it deservedLoving a Smoker:  Actually, this post did get a pretty good response when it first went up, but never gets any follow-up traffic.  I want to give it a shout-out because I know many people struggle with loving someone with unhealthy habits.  Also, this is definitely one of my posts in which the comments are better than the actual post – I love it when that happens!

The post that you are most proud of: I Did Not Throw Up On Meredith Vieira (Being On The Today Show):  This was, by far, the proudest day of my life.  I think all the time that if I peaked when I was 26 years old and on the Today Show, I’m totally cool with that.   It was so cool to see the outpouring of support on Twitter and the blogs for Operation Beautiful, and I will never, ever forget that morning.  Even if I almost peed my pants.

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Now, I get to nominate five bloggers to participate in the 7 Links game!  I nominate…

 

Erin at Big Girl Feats

Ashley at Healthy Ashley

Karin at All Points Whole

Jenna at That Wife

Matt at No Meat Athlete

{ 58 comments }

 

  • caroline July 20, 2011, 10:01 am

    Hi Caitlin,
    I just want to say that I really admire your attitude towards running and speed. I run often and consistently, but am not super fast. However, I still feel really good about myself when I knock out 4-5 mi, even at a 10 min pace or so. It still feels like a great workout to me! Good for you and I love your blog, and your attitude towards life, challenges, etc.

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness July 20, 2011, 10:10 am

    This is such an awesome post, I am going to have so much fun reading through these seven links 🙂 I remember some of them, but for others, at the time they were posted I had not yet stumbled upon HTP. So glad I did, because your posts inspire, inform and uplift me all the time <3
    Congratulations on the 5 miles! That's fantastic! 😀 Love the feeling of getting up, working out and feeling so proud of yourself afterwards 😛 xyx

  • Fit Chick Britt July 20, 2011, 10:11 am

    That’s awesome you were able to run 5 miles this morning. I totally “blowdry” my hair in the car too! I think you’re Marie Claire post is how I got here (little did they know their slander would work in the opposite way intended!)

    • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 10:14 am

      🙂 Glad something good – YOU – came out of it!

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness July 20, 2011, 10:12 am

    This is such a cool post, I am going to have a wonderful time looking through all these links…some of them I remember, but others were posted before I stumbled upon HTP. I’m so glad I did discover your blog, because you inspire, uplift, entertain and inform me on a daily basis 🙂 Thank you! <3
    Congratulations on the 5 mile run, love that feeling of waking up, getting your workout on, and being so proud! 😀 xyx

    • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 10:15 am

      Thank you Yolie, that is a very sweet thing to say.

  • Kelley @ Just Call Me Jack July 20, 2011, 10:28 am

    This is perfect because I just started following you! Now I can go back to these beauties.

    Question: when you run, do you run with music? I just wrote a very short post today about which songs PUMP YOU UP 🙂 when you’re working out.

    But I know there are many who don’t need it.

    Also, totally sucks about the Marie Claire thing. I really like your classy response though. 🙂

    Thanks!

    • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 10:34 am

      Usually I run with music! I get bored if I don’t.

      I really like the new Party Rockin’ Anthem!

      • Kelley @ Just Call Me Jack July 20, 2011, 10:43 am

        Hmmm, I’ve never heard of that one. I’ll have to add it to my list!

        Thanks!

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen July 20, 2011, 10:29 am

    I’m loving this 7 link thing going around. Such a good way to read a few posts I might’ve missed and discover different blogs out there. Congrats on the 5 mile run. I too can count the number of times I’ve run 5 miles on one hand since Feb/March. 3-4 milers seems to be the magical number for me recently.

  • Donna @ Life of a Happy Blonde July 20, 2011, 10:29 am

    Hahaha i totally blow dry my hair in the car after sweaty workouts at the gym 🙂
    Love these links as i’ve only been reading for a little while and now i get to catch up on the best (not that it isn’t all great)!!!

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg July 20, 2011, 10:35 am

    Great job your run! I’m glad you took the rest you needed and now you’re able to get back into it.

  • Leslie July 20, 2011, 10:38 am

    I went back and re-read some of those and they really are great!! I had forgotten about that Marie Claire debacle…it made me totally re-think their magazine for sure. Congrats on the 5 miles. I’m slowly working up to marathon relay shape again. You should come do the Baltimore Running Festival in October!

  • Ashley July 20, 2011, 10:48 am

    Oh! I need to read the loving a smoker post. I get so angry at my bf for smoking and I dont know how to deal with it at all 🙁

  • Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews July 20, 2011, 10:49 am

    Haha I love the blow drying the bangs in the car thing!

  • Rebecca July 20, 2011, 10:54 am

    Congrats on the run! 🙂
    But I got a little confused when I read this: 56 miles to run/walk 5.0 miles
    Did you mean 56 minutes, maybe? 🙂

    The Seven Links thing is pretty neat!

    • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 11:03 am

      whooooooooooooooops!

  • Beth@naturallyyoursbeth July 20, 2011, 11:01 am

    HAHA I’m also rocking the friendship bracelets right now lol. I love that you posted these links!! You should definitely do it more often 🙂

  • Aine @ Something to Chew Over July 20, 2011, 11:08 am

    These are really memorable posts, thanks for the links!

  • Sarah for Real July 20, 2011, 11:08 am

    Well I feel like a stalker, I’ve already read ALL those posts!

  • Amy July 20, 2011, 11:12 am

    I feel you on the no garmin. I recently graduated from college where I ran for my university so time was sooo important all the time. Still loving running I would time myself everyday until my boyfriend one day said to me “hey no one cares how fast your running, just listen to your body!!” haha total reality check for me!!

  • kristen July 20, 2011, 11:19 am

    just read your marie clare post! WOW! I follow tina as well and remember her post, but I couldnt believe all that was said. Interesting what a magazine article (even the littiest ones) can make an impact. You and Tina seemed to handle the situation very well and with great maturity

  • Emily July 20, 2011, 11:20 am

    I’ve looked at your 30 Day Shred post about four times in the past two weeks. I’ve recently started the program when I realized that my body fat percentage is not where it should be for a serious tennis athlete (looking for tennis scholarships, currently).

    Looking at your entry really helped me, because it was someone else who was clearly active (and also had thighs of steel!) who still achieved results with just a little extra working out. I love that entry.

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me July 20, 2011, 11:21 am

    So fun!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 20, 2011, 11:29 am

    I remember those posts and I loved reading every single one!! I think the Today Show was my favourite one, closely seconded by the Tonya post!

  • Amanda July 20, 2011, 11:32 am

    The friendship bracelet is awesome! Funniest thing is, I work at a pool as a lifeguard, and all of us have started making them again! I currently have one as a bracelet, and one as an anklet. They are great to make when we rotate into the office, and are cheap enough to trust to lose in the pool. Thanks for all the running and healthy lifestyle inspirations, you are really a strong role model 🙂

  • Sam July 20, 2011, 11:33 am

    First, congrats on the run! Second, so glad you posted this. I really like reading the loving a smoker one, my boyfriend is a smoker too. We’ve been together for 2+ years and he has tried unsuccessfully to quit at least 3 times! Nice to know other people are going through this too 🙂

  • karin (allpointswhole) July 20, 2011, 11:36 am

    Thanks so much!! Can’t wait to repost

  • alli July 20, 2011, 11:43 am

    congrats! glad you’re feeling better to cover longer distances! i actually found your blog a couple years ago when i googled “30 day shred results” 🙂

  • Kiran @ KiranTarun.com July 20, 2011, 11:47 am

    Totally agree with you on the Garmin thingy. These days, its not the speed that counts. I am just thankful I am still out, running most of the days when the weather is not so hot. It was so nice to read good posts from the archives, thanks for sharing 🙂

  • Recovering Food Addict July 20, 2011, 11:48 am

    I loved watching your interview on The Today Show. I’m inspired to go out and plaster the world with positive post-its 🙂

  • Joey July 20, 2011, 11:53 am

    Great work on your run this morning! I hit snooze too many times & had an awful run because it was so hot! 🙁 Boo!!!

  • Erin @ Big Girl Feats July 20, 2011, 11:56 am

    Thanks for the nomination, Caitlin! I’m excited to look through all my blog posts at work….I mean..at home..;)

    I am thinking about getting back into 30DS but I’m nervous my downstairs neighbor will try to evict me if I start jumping around at 6:30am!

  • Johanna B July 20, 2011, 12:10 pm

    Love the shot of you drying your bangs in front of the A/C. I leaned over the A/C this morning to get my moisturizer to dry. Glad that you did the 7 posts theme. I enjoyed rereading some of them. I enjoy your honesty about things in your life. It’s what keeps me coming back to read every morning.

  • Luna July 20, 2011, 12:27 pm

    Wow Caitlin, I didn’t know about the marie claire article?!How did I miss it (mmm yeah, I was getting married in the USA, right ah!) It is …ridiculous!Marie Claire editors/writers must be really jealous I think. They put so much effort, and money to have an audience…and you’re “just” common girls stealing precious readers by just being, well, “real”… it must be frustrating and envygreen inducing 😉

  • Amber K July 20, 2011, 12:31 pm

    I really enjoy the “debate” and “controversial” posts. Although I’m so sorry you had to go through the Marie Claire thing. It still really pisses me off that they wouldn’t just apologize. A REAL apology. It’s the very least they could do.

  • Paige @ Running Around Normal July 20, 2011, 1:02 pm

    Nice job on the run!! I know what ya mean about leaving the Garmin at home sometimes.

    What a fun blog game going around 🙂

  • Paige @ Running Around Normal July 20, 2011, 1:02 pm

    Nice job on the run!! I know what ya mean about leaving the Garmin at home sometimes.

    What a fun blog game going around 🙂

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) July 20, 2011, 1:25 pm

    I think that for me, all of your posts are helpful in one way or another- but especially your long run recap posts! Every night before a long run, I read a few to get excited for my run in the morning 🙂

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife July 20, 2011, 1:32 pm

    Okay that is really cool. I need to check out those links!

    You have done a LOT in your short years, GO you!!

  • Baking N Books July 20, 2011, 1:44 pm

    Holy Shreddeness!! Do you still look like that?! – actually you look great both ways?? 😉 Uh, seriously – no body image issues please!! 🙂

    Fun post! – I don’t think that traffic should dictate how popular a post is though.

  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat July 20, 2011, 1:44 pm

    Great post! You’ve done so many amazing things with your blog and helped so many people – go girl!

  • Jaclyn @therealhealthwife July 20, 2011, 2:13 pm

    I never knew about the Marie Claire article and I also read Meghann’s and Tina’s blogs daily along with yours. I have to say I NEVER get anything negative from you guys, you are real, eat healthy and have indulgences like everyone else! I get inspired by seeing what you guys do for working out and it pushes me but in a good way! I can’t believe Marie Claire would do that, I won’t be buying that magazine anymore.

  • Liza July 20, 2011, 3:10 pm

    This is totally crazy, and I’ll tell you my nutso reason for pointing this out in a sec. The Marie Claire article was libel, NOT slander. See, I’m taking the bar exam next week and I keep mixing up libel and slander, and when I saw your post mentioning Marie Claire slandering you,I panicked for a sec, thinking I had them confused again. But nope, checked my notes; libel not slander.

    Ok, back to your regularly scheduled, non-crazy comments. I am going to think to myself “Caitlin was libeled by Marie Claire” to make myself remember this next week.” So maybe a tiny bit of good came out of the article. 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP July 20, 2011, 3:13 pm

      hahahah good luck on your bar exam!!!!

  • Katie July 20, 2011, 4:33 pm

    Haha, the blow-drying with the air conditioner cracked me up.

  • Britne @ Shabbott's Habits July 20, 2011, 5:13 pm

    Congrats on running 5 miles! I just ran my first 5 miles after my injury too!!! It felt fantastic. I’m so happy to be running again and it looks like you are too 🙂

    • Caitlin July 20, 2011, 8:40 pm

      Congrats on getting back!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 20, 2011, 8:35 pm

    Nice job on the run! I usually run 3-4 miles, so I totally understand your excitement about running 5. 😀

  • Emily @ Comfortable Home Life July 20, 2011, 9:11 pm

    Funny thing about Marie Claire: I started regularly reading all six of y’alls blogs after the article came out. No publicity is bad publicity?

    Also, the smoothie picture with the Huz creepin’ in the background made me LOL!

  • Jenna July 20, 2011, 9:24 pm

    I think this might be my favorite meme ever! Working on a post for Friday right now…

  • Pam C July 21, 2011, 4:42 am

    This is such a cool post. It’s nice to see how you feel about your posts and where they fall in the categories. Neat idea whoever started it.

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